Box Score

SAN DIEGO - Alyssa Dwyer had 18 kills to lead three Sea Lions in double-figures as the Point Loma volleyball team closed out its regular season home schedule with a 25-18, 23-25, 25-22 and 25-23 victory over Hawaii Pacific.

The Sea Lions (22-7, 15-4 PacWest) now control their own fate for second place in the Pacific West Conference. With the win tonight PLNU guaranteed itself at least a share of second place in the PacWest. However, the Sea Lions are one match up on both Dixie State and California Baptist, who both sit at 14-5 in the PacWest, with just one match remaining for each team. The loss sends HPU to 17-10 on the season and 11-8 in the PacWest.

Dwyer was a consistent offensive weapon for the Sea Lions and setter Savannah Wedemeyer throughout the match. The junior from Gilbert, Ariz., had those 18 kills on just 35 swings, while making only three errors, for a .429 hitting percentage. She also added a service ace and four blocks.

"Alyssa is a dominating person on the floor no matter where she is," said PLNU head coach Sarah Gustin. "It is nice that we have her on our side because not only is she able to put up big numbers but she has a presence about her that is difficult to play against."

Wedemeyer had 52 assists in the four sets to raise her season average. She also added 14 digs for her 14th double-double of the season. Heather Leavitt also came up with her team-leading 19th double-double of the season with 15 kills and 17 digs. Leavitt also posted a six of the Sea Lions' 11 aces.  

Those aces would be one of the keys for Point Loma on the evening. It posted 11 aces compared to just four for the Sea Warriors, and made only eight errors.

"I was happy that we were able to win the aces-errors ratio," Gustin continued. "It really helped us keep them out of system and defend them better."

The Sea Lions used every advantage they could on Tuesday to get a hard-fought win against a quality opponent. PLNU was able to win the first set 25-18 but it would only get more difficult as the match went on. Hawaii Pacific won the second set despite PLNU attempt to fight back late.

The third set seemed to be the key in the match.  Both teams would have a chance to take the set but it was the Sea Lions which prevailed in the end. The match was tied at 18-18 before Point Loma rattled off three straight points to take a 21-18 lead. The teams then traded points before HPU then answered back with two straight points to cut the Sea Lions' lead to one (23-22). However, PLNU's Delaney McCraney came through with a kill and an assisted block with mcKensey Wise on consecutive plays to seal the set.

The fourth set also came down to the wire. The set was tied at 23-23 but HPU made a service error coming out of a timeout and then on the next play Wedemeyer finished off the set and the match with her third kill of the evening.

"We knew Hawaii Pacific was a dangerous team heading into the match," said Point Loma head coach Sarah Gustin. "They are the only team to beat BYU-Hawaii this season. We knew it would be a battle. When they are passing well they are very good."

In addition to putting them alone in second place the win also let Point Loma complete the regular season with a 13-2 record at Golden Gymnasium.  Tuesday was also Senior Night for three PLNU seniors. Prior to the match the Sea Lions honored Kelsey Barker, Marissa Ellow and Jeana Holman, who all played their final regular season match at home tonight. 

"We control our own destiny right now (for second place in the PacWest) and our team knows it," explained Gustin. "This team has set very high goals for itself and we have put ourselves into a good position. It will just come down to how we play on Saturday."

Saturday (Nov. 16) will be a true road test for PLNU when it faces Dixie State, who trails Point Loma by one match in the standings, in St. George, Utah at 11:00 a.m. (PST).