ROCKLIN, Calif. -  In their second comeback match in a row, the Warriors bounced back down 2-0 against Menlo College at home for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness match to give the crowd something to cheer for forcing it to a fifth and deciding set. If that wasn't enough, the Oaks and Warriors battled to extra points as Jessup took the final set by two, 22-20 to improve to 18-9 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

Composed and not worried about working from behind, head coach Shasta Millhollin reassured her team the same, "When we were down 0-2 we knew we needed to pick up our intensity. We started to review specific offensive and defensive assignments and made clear the adjustments that needed to be made."

The final set wasn't the only game with extra points, the match started out with the Oaks defeating the Warriors 28-26, and then again down to the wire in the second set taking it 25-23. The shift in momentum came the third set favoring the Warriors where they were up by as many as five before the Oaks came back to tie it up 23-23, but two quick points gave Jessup the 25-23 win, down 2-1. Similar events continued in the fourth set as the Warriors took a 7-1 lead but the Oaks would chip away at the deficit to get within 5. Despite the comeback, Jessup tied it up 2-2 with their 25-19 win.

The final set kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as the Oaks and Warriors tied 15 times in the set that was only supposed to go to 15. Down by two with Menlo's advantage and set point(14-12), the Warriors battled back to tie it up with three kills led by Kassidy Heuvelhorst and a pair following by Makenzie Reeder-Esparza. Both teams would exchange leads through 20 before the Warriors put it away with a kill by Taylor Jacky and Reeder-Esparza for the win.

Setting some personal-best records was sophomore Vendela Williams who had a career night with 16 kills leading the Warriors, followed by Reeder-Esparza with her career-best 15 kills.

Millhollin confirmed that the ladies were just putting into play what they have been working on, "We have been doing a ton of drills lately where balls are constantly being entered and played. The relentless pursuit of the ball has been a huge focus for us and it is paying off!"

Also setting a personal best was starting setter Jessica Williams who had a career-high 61 assists to accompany the Warriors dominance on the net. 

"As a coaching staff we have high expectations for Jessica," Millhollin said. "Her role is tough and we expect a lot from her by getting to every ball and putting our hitters in a position to score. She has been working very hard to run the offense the way we want it and everything is starting to click. With the help of our team, she is achieving much."

At the turn of conference play, the Warriors will now face their opponents for the second time looking to clinch the playoff spots. Jessup will travel to Arizona Christian and San Diego Christian next week looking to keep the win streak alive.

"Tonight marks the first match of the 2nd round of conference play," Millhollin reflected. "This week's road trip is incredibly important. Our plan is to use it to get our conference record to .500."

 
   
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).