Box Score

SAN DIEGO - Coming off a big victory on the road the Point Loma volleyball team knew it needed to avoid any letdown as it returned home to face three Pacific West Conference opponents in three days, and the Sea Lions responded to the first challenge by sweeping Academy of Art, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23, on Thursday (Oct. 10).

This was the eighth straight win for PLNU (14-3, 8-0 PacWest) to begin league play. It currently holds a one-match lead over BYU Hawaii (7-1 PacWest) for first place in the PacWest standings. The win also moved Point Loma's home record to 8-0 on the season. The loss snapped a three-match winning streak for Academy of Art as it fell to 7-9 on the season and to 3-5 in the PacWest.

The victory did not come as easily as the sweep might suggest for PLNU. The Sea Lions and Urban Knights were always neck-and-neck in each set approaching the 20-point mark, but in each case Point Loma would seize the opportunity for a victory with a late run and close out the set with win.

"Academy of Art challenged us tonight," said PLNU head coach Sarah Gustin. "They passed much better than we saw them before which allowed them to play in their system.

"I was happy with the way we battled and pushed through to the end in each set," continued Gustin. "We wouldn't have done that last year but this year we are finding ways to get it done."

Alyssa Dwyer and Kelli LeClair each had 10 kills and just one error to help an efficient PLNU offense which posted a .305 hitting percentage for the evening. Dwyer took just 13 swings to get her 10 kills as she registered an impressive .692 hitting percentage. Heather Leavitt led all student-athletes with 13 kills. She also added 11 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Setter Savannah Wedemeyer had a 38 assists in the three sets and also added two kills and two aces.

Coach Sarah Gustin was also very impressed with the contributions from Delaney McCraney, Dixie Cooper and Cayleen Harty who all came off the bench to provide the Sea Lions with solid minutes.

"Dixie, Delaney and Cayleen all did a very good job when they were called upon," said Gustin. "We need a full team effort and we need that from people at different times."

The Point Loma volleyball team will be tested again tomorrow night when four-place Dixie State (9-5, 6-2 PacWest) comes to Golden Gymnasium. The match will start at 7:00 p.m.