When The Master's University women's volleyball team boarded a Southwest flight to Phoenix Thursday morning, there was no guarantee it'd be playing in its conference tournament next month on its home court.
In fact, recent history said the trip might be turbulent. The Mustangs had struggled to find a rhythm on the road. And this particular travel itinerary would be taxing: They'd be playing two matches in two states in two days.
Friday's effort completed a departure from the narrative.
Fresh off an inspiring win over Arizona Christian on Thursday, the Mustangs stepped into Granite Hills High in El Cajon and commanded the match, taking down San Diego Christian, 3-1, by scores of 25-22, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-15.
With the win, Master's (10-15, 5-7 GSAC) clinched a berth in the inaugural Golden State Athletic Conference tournament set to start Nov. 10.
"This was an excellent culmination to this weekend of difficult travel," said Mustang coach Allan Vince. "… We got amazing production out of our outside and middle hitters this weekend."
At the forefront, again, was Regan Tate. Since the sophomore moved back to her natural position of outside hitter, she's reeled off three straight matches with at least 15 kills. Friday she had 16, the only Mustang in double figures.
Jane Cisar and Madi Fay followed with eight kills each, and Kayla Sims recorded 39 assists one night after tallying a career-high 52 in a gritty 3-1 win over Arizona Christian.
With Friday's match tied 1-1, and set three knotted at 21, the Mustangs scored the next three points: a San Diego service error, a kill by Tate and a kill by Morgan Koch. Moments later, Tate sealed it with another kill.
Koch finished the night with three solo blocks for the Mustangs, who will be home for matches against Menlo and William Jessup next week.Â
