Halloween Eve turned out to be a nightmare for PLNU volleyball.

The team entered Friday's match versus visiting Westmont with a No. 14 national ranking and had easily handled the Warriors in straight sets earlier in the season up in Santa Barbara. WC repaid the favor in front of a large crowd in Golden Gym Friday night, however, by sweeping the Sea Lions (25-23, 25-16, and 25-20).

The setback dropped the Sea Lions to 17-9 overall and 7-9 in Golden State Athletic Conference action.  PLNU will have to see how the loss will influence the national rankings on Tuesday, and more importantly, what affect it will have on the team's NAIA National Championship Tournament aspirations.

Westmont upped its season mark to 14-11, 5-10 GSAC.

From the very start it was apparent that PLNU had a tough match on their hands as the Warriors played them point-for-point in the opening set. Tied at 13-each, WC won the next point on a Stephanie Dunn kill and never looked back. The Sea Lions nearly caught the Warriors, pulling to one at 24-23 but Kate Barton slammed a winner to give WC the first set.

Westmont then belted out 16 kills on 26 swings and made just two errors in set two for a robust .538 hitting percentage and an easy nine-point win.

PLNU came out of a long intermission between the second and third sets by dropping the first two points but rebounded to grab a 6-4 lead. That would be short-lived, though. Westmont went ahead at 9-8 and remained in front for the remainder of the set.

The Warriors wound up outhitting PLNU .364-.245. WC also had a 7-2 advantage in blocks and a slim 45-42 margin in assists. The Sea Lions out dug the visitors 46-44 and also had five aces to two from the Warriors.

Westmont was paced by 15 kills from Beth Widicus and 12 winners from Stephanie Dunn. Maddie Dahms led the Sea Lions with 15 kills, followed by 13 from Tabitha Henken.

Kylie Morel led PLNU with 35 assists. Nicole Eiler added 20 digs. Kailee Blair and Candace Adema contributed 21 and 20 assists respectively for Westmont.

The Sea Lions will be on the road Tuesday when they travel to Hope International for a 7:00 pm match.