The Westmont Volleyball team fell 3-1 (30-27, 24-30, 30-25, 30-26) to #16 Cornerstone (Mich.) this afternoon in the season opener for both teams. Head Coach Jim Smoot was pleased, however, with the performance of his team. “They played better together better than I expected for this point in the season,” acknowledged Smoot. “They are a great group of women who get along very well together and their team spirit is paying off.”

Senior setter Amber Donovan recorded 65 assists in the contest. “I was very pleased with how hard our team played and how consistent we were for our first match of the season,” said Donovan. “Our team was mentally focused and ready to play. Malinda (Reese) played awesome defense and Kelsey (Voetmann) was very consistent in her hitting.”

Reese, the team’s sophomore defensive specialist, recorded 34 serve receptions and 35 digs in the contest. The 35 digs established a new Westmont record for digs in one match, breaking the old record of 34, set by Reese last October in a match against Hope International. Voetmann, a junior outside hitter, led the Warriors offensively with 23 kills while sophomore Kristen De Groot tacked on 15 more.

Senior middle blocker Allegra Willis added 10 to the teams’ kill total of 68. Willis also contributed three solo blocks and two block assists. Freshman Katie Sharp made her collegiate debut by tallying six kills and a .214 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Katie Pace and junior Abby Pierik turned in solid defensive performances. Pace recorded 25 serve receptions and 19 digs while Pierik added 22 receptions and 16 digs. Despite playing from the back row, Pace also found a way to connect on five of seven offensive attacks for a .571 hitting percentage.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 8-1 lead in the first game, but Cornerstone, which was led offensively by middle blocker Emily Hollmans, came from behind to tie the game at 25 all before claiming a 30-27 win. Hollmans recorded 11 kills in the contest while achieving a .357 hitting percentage.

In the second game, the Warriors again jumped ahead, but this time were able to knot the contest at a game each. However, it would prove not to be enough as the Golden Eagles were able to claim the next two games and the match.

The Warriors leave for Prescott, Arizona tomorrow where they will compete in the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagle Volleyball Kickoff. Westmont will meet the host Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) in a 6:00 p.m. game on Friday night, August 26. On Saturday, the Warriors will play three matches, taking on Concordia (Ore.) at 9:00 a.m., Taylor (Ind.) at 11:00 am and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) at 4:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, August 31, the Warriors will return home to take on Westminster (Utah) in a 5:00 p.m. game at Murchison Gymnasium.

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