SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The William Jessup volleyball team competed with Westmont College in a battle of the Warriors but Jessup ultimately came up short losing in three sets, 10-25, 18-25, and 17-25. 

The opening set started off on a strong note for Jessup as Vendela Williams recorded the game's opening kill assisted by Brianne Whitt. Jessup would then surrender five straight points to Westmont.  From then on, Jessup was playing catchup and went on to lose the set 25-10. 

Jessup would get off to a hot start in set two and a pair of kills by Michaela Zapata helped to push the lead 5-1. However, Jessup would be unable to retain the lead as Westmont came storming back to take the lead, 8-6. Midway through the set with Jessup trailing 12-10, these two teams would alternate over the next six points as this hard fought set waged on. Unable to rally back after trading blows, Jessup went on to lose the set 25-18. 

In the third and final set, Jessup got off to a slow start as they trailed 5-1 in the opening moments. Laurie Stephan along with Williams would string together back-to-back kills bringing the game within three as they were down 11-8. Jessup would again fall behind even further, 20-11, but would rally back scoring 4 out of the next five points in the set. The late run wasn't enough and Jessup dropped the third set 25-17. 

Zapata and Williams would lead Jessup in kills, each finishing with 9 while  Whitt had 4. Williams, along with Taylor Tarble and Mackenzie Reeder-Esparza all recording a block while Alicia Borges added another ace to her season total bringing her to 28. Whitt had a team-high with 12 assists and Madison Pelham recorded 9. On the defensive side, it was Taylor Jacky who led with 12 digs while Kacey Berger and Whitt finished with 8. 

The road trip continues on Saturday as Jessup ventures down to Santa Clarita to take on The Masters University at 3 PM. 
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).