ROLLIN'

By Brandon Petersen

The wins keep stacking, and the Warriors aren't slowing down.

The No. 7-ranked Westcliff men's volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight matches Friday afternoon, sweeping Pacific Union in straight sets (25-11, 25-20, 25-18) to remain perfect in conference play.

Westcliff (15-4, 7-0) controlled the match from start to finish, showcasing the same balance, efficiency and composure that has fueled its recent surge.

The Warriors hit .349 as a team, piling up 43 kills while holding Pacific Union to a .125 mark. From the opening set, Westcliff dictated tempo, overwhelming the Pioneers with clean execution and relentless pressure.

Gabriel Pizza led the attack with 15 kills, continuing to anchor a deep and versatile offensive unit. Rodolfo Biegelmeyer added nine kills, while Tiago Silva chipped in eight and M'hamed Mifdal turned in an efficient five kills on a .571 hitting percentage.

At the center of it all, setter Nikos Kalagasidis kept the offense flowing with 30 assists, distributing the ball across multiple options and preventing Pacific Union from settling into any defensive rhythm.

Westcliff wasted little time asserting control in the opening set, cruising to a 25-11 win behind a dominant .400 hitting performance. The Pioneers found more resistance in the second, but the Warriors responded with timely runs and steady side-out play to maintain separation.

In the third, Westcliff once again pulled away late, closing out the match with authority to complete the sweep.

Defensively, the Warriors remained sharp, totaling 33 digs while limiting second-chance opportunities. Sebastian Ignaczak led the effort with eight digs, and the front line contributed six blocks to disrupt Pacific Union's attack.

The result was another complete performance for a team that has steadily found its rhythm over the past month.

Since early March, Westcliff has not dropped a match, stringing together eight straight wins — including multiple conference sweeps — to seize control of the Cal Pac standings. The Warriors have now defeated Simpson, Walla Walla and Pacific Union multiple times during the stretch, establishing themselves as the team to beat heading into the postseason.

Now, with a perfect 7-0 conference record and a top-10 national ranking, Westcliff is surging at exactly the right time.

The Warriors will return to Redding on Saturday for another matchup with Simpson, a key conference opponent that could help shape postseason positioning. But with the way Westcliff is performing — efficient, disciplined and confident — the momentum is firmly on its side.

Right now, the Warriors aren't just winning.

They're rolling.