Anna Massari was forced to miss PLNU Volleyball's first 12 matches of the season because of injury, but her return has added an extra punch to the Sea Lions' lineup just in time for the final stretch of the regular season.
 
The sophomore middle blocker has dominated at the net in recent matches, including on Friday night against Dominican, with her .875 hitting % and five blocks leading Point Loma to a three-set sweep of the Penguins (25-7, 25-10, 25-15).
 
"We were all pretty worried losing her early on, especially right before our first matches," Head Coach Jonathan Scott said of Massari's early-season absence. "She had clearly earned a starting role before that injury. The team responded beautifully without her and then as soon as she was cleared, it was trying to figure out how we get her back in the lineup.
 
"In Hawaii, not only did she prove she belonged, but she's setting blocking records."
 
Massari has led the Sea Lions in blocks the last three matches, including on Friday when she also added seven kills on just eight attempts.
 
"It's been so awesome," Massari said of her return to the court. "I'd been waiting for this moment for so long. Obviously being injured wasn't the most ideal situation but I do think that it made the second half of the season all the more sweet. I'm really fired up to be back on the court with all the girls."

 

Massari's resurgence and return to the lineup has been a key part of PLNU's five-match winning streak over the last couple weeks, which has moved Point Loma up to second place in the PacWest standings.
 
Grace Hicks led PLNU on Friday with eight kills.
 
"Our team word is unity and I think we're playing up to that for sure right now," Hicks said of her team's recent winning streak.
 
Lauren Phillips dished out 21 assists, with Maggie Wolf contributing 13 of her own, as 11 different Sea Lions recorded a kill against the Penguins.
 
Courtney Dyer inched closer to the program record for career digs with 15, now just 28 shy of top spot, while Anna-Kate Treske tallied four blocks.
 
Point Loma (18-6 overall, 13-3 PacWest) now enters a crucial portion of its schedule with four matches left in the regular season. All four remaining matches are against the four teams directly below the Sea Lions in the conference standings.
 
That stretch begins on Thursday in Golden Gym when PLNU takes on Concordia at 6 p.m.

"The message really is we have to stay present," Scott said. "We've got some Halloween to enjoy and some candy to eat, then do what we have to do to get ready for Concordia. Try not to think about much else, just what's next."