Dubs Come Back, Can’t Outlast Redhawks

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff men's volleyball team made a valiant comeback Saturday at Jordan Lawley Center, but in the end, NAIA No. 3 Benedictine Mesa walked away with a three-point fifth set win (25-22, 25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 15-12) to remain undefeated in Cal Pac play. 

Gabriel Pizza and Pawel Tuz had outstanding nights. Pizza picked up 22 kills and nine digs, and Tuz (nine digs) set up 50 teammates on assists. 

Mickael Massaki was also phenomenal, turning in 16 kills and seven digs on defense. 

Andy Jaszcynski (seven kills), John Rzepniewski (four kills) and Jordan VonBorstel (five kills) all picked up a block stuff at net. 

Libero Leonardo Garcia had the toughest assignment of the night, defending Benedictine's violent hitters, and did his job, leading the Warriors with 12 digs to complement five assists. 

Pizza led Westcliff with 22.5 points and Massaki was right behind him with 17. 

After a competitive first set, Benedictine took control in the second, threatening to make it a quick afternoon. 

But the Warriors refused to roll over and battled back expertly in sets three and four. Unfortunately, Westcliff couldn't carry the momentum into the fifth set, though it was, again, highly competitive. 

With the loss, the Warriors dropped to 2-2 in Cal Pac play, but learned they can play point-for-point with the league-leading Redhawks, who swept the first contest in Arizona. 

Westcliff won't see the Benedictine again until the postseason. 

Up next, the Warriors travel down the 5 for a meeting with Saint Katherine next Saturday. 

First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Warriors will then pack up for their Northern California trip before returning home to Irvine to close out the season. 

Westcliff will play five straight home matches to close regular season play.