(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) With a four-set win (30-28, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17) at Westmont on Saturday, No. 24 PLNU Volleyball clinched at least a share of the PacWest title for the first time in program history.
"It's been a long time coming for this program," Head Coach
Jonathan Scott said. "I am so happy for Claire, Grace, and Torina. They all decided to remain with the program for five years and it paid off for them. I'm really happy for them."
All three fifth-years played significant roles in the title-clinching win on Saturday, with
Grace Hicks (10 kills),
Claire Smith (7 kills, 4 blocks) and
Torina Hommes (4 kills, 6 blocks, 2 aces) all producing in key moments.
After Point Loma won a marathon first set, a Hommes service ace gave PLNU set point in the second before Smith combined with
Anna Massari to put the Sea Lions up 2-0 in the match.
Westmont fought back to win the third and force a fourth set, only for Point Loma to dominate with an 8-0 run that included two Hicks kills and was capped off by a combined block from Hicks and Hommes.
Back-to-back kills from
Anna Massari then clinched the set and the match to prompt title-winning celebrations, as PLNU hit .500 in the fourth and ultimately final stanza.
"This team has gone through it with injuries and different lineups, but we've stayed together and put out a unified front," Scott said. "I'm proud of these girls."
Abigail Nua led all players with 17 kills and had a team-high 13 digs, while
Sophia Baugh also recorded a double-double of 22 assists and 10 digs.
Bailey Williams had seven kills and 11 digs, with Massari tallying eight kills and five blocks.
Maggie Wolf pitched in with 18 assists and two service aces, which both came during that crucial 8-0 stretch in the fourth set.
Point Loma (20-5 overall, 17-1 PacWest) now has a chance to clinch the outright PacWest championship this week, needing one more win across its final two matches or a Chaminade loss.
The Sea Lions will travel to play Azusa Pacific on Thursday at 6 p.m. before hosting Concordia on Saturday on Senior Day.
