Jessi Swenning was not going to be stopped.
The 5-11 middle blocker led the Lady Mustangs with 15 kills and five blocks, hitting .464 in the match, as Master's defeated the William Jessup Warriors 3-1 Saturday in the MacArthur Center for their third GSAC win in a row.
As the match progressed, Mustangs setter
Natalie Collins, who finished with 46 assists in the match, started to rely more and more on Swenning. A combination of middle sets and back slides was too much for the Warriors defense.
"Our words to focus on were grit and peace," said Head Coach
Annett Davis. "We wanted to go for everything and play all out, but we also wanted to experience God's peace while playing instead of getting into our heads. The girls did a great job with both."
Master's (7-4, 3-2) took the first set in dominating fashion, 25-16. But the Warriors came out in the second set and rattled off eight straight points to take an early 9-1 lead before winning the set 25-15.
But then the Lady Mustangs reverted to their first set form and, again in dominating fashion with 18 kills, took the third set 25-16.
Initially the fourth set was going the Warriors way as they opened up a 13-8 lead. But Master's rattled off five straight points, punctuated by Swenning and
Ruby Duncan kills, that brought the Lady Mustangs right back into the set. Moments later, Master's collected four unanswered points to take a 19-16 lead, never looking back to finish off the match with a 25-22 fourth-set win.
Following Swenning's 15 kills was
Faith Tarver with 13 and Duncan with 10. Duncan also added two solo blocks for a total of three, and
Emily Clark collected three blocks as well.
Karli Stults had a season-high 26 digs in the backcourt to go with a team-high three aces.
"
Karli Stults played unbelievable defense today," Davis said. "She was in the right place at the right time and did a great job controlling the ball.
"I am proud of the team for putting together two solid matches in a row."
The home stand continues for the Lady Mustangs this Tuesday as they welcome the Westcliff Warriors to The MacArthur Center for a non-conference match. First serve is 6 p.m.
