COSTA MESA, Calif. – Vanguard University (9-9, 5-7) played the final contest of the 2021 season, as they welcomed the fourth-ranked Westmont College (10-0, 7-0) into The Pit. The Warriors have clinched the GSAC West Division Championship and a berth in the NAIA National Championships, while the Blue and Gold finish the year third in the division standings.
What Happened? The first set started out as a back and forth affair, where the teams found themselves deadlocked at 8-8. Then, after a vanguard timeout, the Warriors went on an 11-0 run to take control of the first set, ultimately wining by 12 points. During the next frame, the Pride battled much harder, rallying from a 9-4 deficit to tie the set at 21-21. Westmont ended the period on a 4-0 run to take a commanding 2-0 lead in sets won. Opening up the final set, Vanguard jumped out to a quick 8-5 advantage before Westmont came roaring back on a 10-0 run to take control. From the point Vanguard had the lead, they were outscored 20-5 as the Warriors captured the sweep.
Why It's Important? Tonight, marks the conclusion of the collegiate career for Mallorie Post (SR/Federal Way, WA) and the fourth and final time the Lions were required to pay the Warriors. Despite losing all four contests this year, the Blue and Gold split the regular season contests a year ago (2019). Vanguard tails 26-48 in the all-time season series with Westmont.
Top Performers: Offensively, Cambria Fernandez (JR/Northridge, CA) led the team with 10 of the 24 total kills, on a game high 33 swings. Bailey Olbur (FR/Las Vegas, NV) added six kills, four went to Hailey Petersen (SO/Omaha, NE) and the last four were split by Samantha Arellano (JR/Tulare, CA) and Tayler Templeman (JR/Puyallup, WA). Defensively, Kynzey Mitzel (JR/Tigard, OR) posted a team high 12 digs while Fernandez was just behind recording 11. Olbur tallied 3.0 of the teams six block, with 1.5 of them going to Arellano.
What They Said: Head Coach JP Dorn – "This has been a rollercoaster of a year for the team navigating COVID, numerous injuries, and the unpredictability of the schedule each week. Through it all, these ladies were positive and supporting of each other – even in the midst of trials. We will return many key players who can build on this for the Fall, but I especially want to honor Mallorie Post who played her final game in a Lion uniform tonight."
#ClawsUp
