Warriors Remain No. 1 Through Pool Play

By BRANDON PETERSEN

It was sun's out, fun's out Thursday morning and early evening at the Elite Athlete Training Center on the shores of Otay Lake in Chula Vista, where the Westcliff women's beach volleyball team claimed a pair of pool play wins, both 4-1, over Saint Katherine and Benedictine Mesa, respectively. 

Even though the blistering heat warmed the sand to piping-hot levels, as the No. 1 seed, Westcliff played at the top and the bottom of the day, avoiding the midday sun. 

That won't be the case Friday, as the Warriors will return to action in the tournament semifinals at 3 p.m.

Ironically, Westcliff will face either Saint Katherine or Benedictine Mesa.

"I'm definitely very proud of our girls," Westcliff head coach Kenny Ma said. "There was a lot of pressure coming in as the No. 1 seed. We're expected to win this tournament. We talked about how to hone that (pressure) in and focus on the performance.

"There's a reason why we are here, and there's nothing more we need to do than just execute."

Execute they did. 

After picking up a 21-16, 21-19 win over Olivia Muriel and Casside Salcido of USK in the morning match, No. 1 Gianna Guinasso and Sierra Lim made short work of Benedictine's Juliana Montes and Christina Sanchez in the nightcap, 21-6, 21-10. 

Brooke Scheidle and Kylie Cordero (No. 2) were equally impressive, taking down Kylie Bartel and Annabelle Somoza of Mesa, 21-14, 21-19, and Aubrey Cardoza and Makenzie Nutting of SK, 23-21, 21-9. 

"We're a talented team, and we won as a team," Ma said. "Our (duos) who unfortunately lost, they were able to focus on the bigger picture, which was getting the team win. 

"We're in very good spirits and definitely confident heading into tomorrow."

Maddie Shepston and Ava Wright (No. 4) are not used to losing, but they took a rare L in a three-setter during the morning session, 21-13, 14-21, 15-9, to Morgan Alexander and Grace Burkett.

Ma is right about his team's cohesive spirit, the Warriors tend to pick each other up during matches. Even though Shepston and Wright were outlasted by SK, Elise Brown and Kenidi MacDonald, the No. 5 duo, picked them up with a big-time win over Lauren Erickson and Destiny Williams, 21-18, 21-15.

Shepston and Wright repaid the favor in the nightcap, beating Courtney Ely and Isabel Ponce, 21-10, 21-16, which gave cover to MacDonald and Brown, who were outlasted in a three-setter by Violet Falemu and Paige Padilla, 10-21, 21-15, 15-10. 

Then, of course, there is the still unbeaten tandem of No. 3 Elena Eckhardt and Megan Yoon, who remained unbeaten Thursday with a 21-12, 21-9 victory over Camille Harvey and Rene Wash in the morning, and a 21-18, 24-22 win over Brianna Rivera and Haley Rivera at supper time. 

With Thursday in the books, the Warriors will gear up for a rematch showdown in the semifinals.

The greatest unknown factor will be the heat, and Westcliff is preparing for a scorcher.

"That is something that we can't control," Ma said. "It's about managing the heat. Today, we did a good job. We focused on ways to score quicker. Not over-exerting and still working hard. 

"The big quote for today would be, 'Work hard now, so you don't have to work hard later."

They met the pressure head on and carried the day, winning twice and cementing their No. 1 seed.

The reward is an easier day for the Warriors Friday. While Saint Katherine and Benedictine will battle in the early hours, Westcliff earned an automatic seat at the semifinals table, and will only play once.

If they win that game, they will play for the Westcliff's first Cal Pac championship Saturday at 9 a.m.

To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.