ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Lady Warriors got an early lead and stayed ahead in front of a full house against nonconference rival Simpson University taking three straight sets in Warrior Arena on Tuesday night.
 
The student section was alive for the annual "Ring the Bell" game cheering the Warriors on after suffering a tough loss Saturday to gain momentum going into their next conference match Friday.
 
"Resiliency is a huge theme for us this season," head coach Shasta Millhollin reflected, "and tonight proves that our team is taking that to heart by picking up a big win!"
 
In the opening set the Warriors got ahead quickly 5-2, but the Redhawks would battle back and making it an intense game.  That was until visiting Simpson met the Lady Warrior's leading killers to finalize the set led by freshman Taylor Jacky (5), sophomore Makenzie Reeder-Esparza (3) and junior Kassidy Huevelhorst (4) closing it out 25-20.
 
"Taylor, Makenzie, and Kassidy have been putting in tons of extra reps in practice these past few weeks. They have dedicated themselves to making improvements on their timing offensively," said Millhollin.
 
Coach Millhollin also added, "A big part of their (Jacky, Reeder-Esparza, and Huevelhorst) success is our setter, Jessica Williams because her location is on point and she distributes the ball very well."
 
The Warriors started the second set just where they left off scoring 7-straight points, continued by Huevelhorst's three-straight kills taking an 11-4 advantage. The Redhawks were not fazed by the early run and cut the lead to 19-15 before Jessup would rally to 25 to take a 2-0 lead at the break.
 
The final set had some phenomenal serving behind driving forces Williams  and Alicia Borges. Borges served up back-to-back aces, grabbing the momentum with a 9-6 lead. Simpson continued to battle despite being down two sets, chipping away only down one (14-13) keeping the crowd loud. Jessup would try to pull away 19-13, but Simpson brought it down to the wire 21-20 before the Warriors scored four-straight points to take the sweep over Simpson.
 
"It is so exhilarating to see such a huge group of the student body come out to support us," stated Millhollin. "Our players love playing in a packed gym!"
 
The Warriors take on Vanguard University Friday night for a conference faceoff starting at 7pm.  
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).