IRVINE, Calif. - The women's volleyball team entered the day with high stakes, as a win could earn them its second consecutive league title, a new program record for most wins in a single season, and a chance to extend its win streak to 16 games.
The women's team answered the bell as they took down Westcliff in four sets to win its second league crown while setting a program record with 18 wins in a single season.
Simpson jumped in front with four straight points to begin the game on a pair of kills by Tiara Manns and Kimora McKechnie, as Brooke Sarahina added an ace. Simpson held the two-point lead before breaking through for seven straight points as Manns posted two kills and two blocks. The Red Hawks dominated the first set, winning convincingly 25-16 as they hit .355 as a team with 14 kills.
The Warriors looked to bounce back as they held an early 9-8 lead, notching six kills. However, Simpson scored five unanswered points, with Maggie Warden starting the rally with a kill, followed by double-blocks by Manns and McKechnie, and back-to-back aces by Brooklyn Jimenez.
The Red Hawks never relinquished the lead, even as the Warriors attempted a late comeback with four unanswered points before Louise Oliveira slammed down the final kill of the second set, 25-22 in favor of the Red Hawks.
The Warriors answered as they put together an impressive third set that relied on two huge rallies of six and four straight points to take the set 25-19.
Simpson would not be denied as they dispatched the Warriors in the fourth set 25-12. Facing a one-point lead, the Red Hawks scored six straight points to create separation on an ace by Jimenez and kills by Manns and McKechnie. A 5-0 run to end the game concluded with back-to-back kills by Mariah Napoleon to punctuate a second consecutive league title.
Tiara Manns led the team with 14 kills to go along with 13 digs and seven blocks. Mariah Napoleon followed close behind with a stellar .367 hitting percentage while posting a team-high 20 digs.
Brooklyn Jimenez added 20 digs on defense to go along with four aces. Brooke Sarahina and Ella Perry combined to dish out 37 assists and 19 digs.
Kimora McKechnie had a huge game up front, posting a team-high 12 total blocks while adding seven kills.
Simpson looks to end the regular season strong tomorrow as they take on Westcliff at 1 p.m. before getting ready for the upcoming CAC tournament slated for November 11–13 at the James M. Grant Center.
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