ROCKLIN, Calif. – Warrior Arena was packed Saturday afternoon as fans filed in to see one thing: the Warriors win their fifth consecutive match. Those in attendance were not disappointed, as not only does the win streak continue, but the Warriors swept the No. 21 ranked Vanguard Lions.
 
"It's taken a while for this team to develop chemistry," said head coach Tiger Shelton after the match. "There's some pretty headstrong, powerful, strong women on this team. But there it is, it took a while, but I am hoping this is it. I hope we are there. But you never know."
 
The Warriors have shown steady improvement throughout the season, but they have been able to piece together consecutive solid performances against stout competition over the last five matches. The Warriors have won 15 of their last 16 sets in this streak, as they have swept opponents in four of their previous five outings.
 
The combination of Marina Gonzalez and Madalyn Miller led the Warriors offensively, as the duo of outside hitters totaled 14 kills each. In addition, Miller was recognized by her team postgame as this week's 'GOAT Award' recipient.
 
"Maddy and Marina played really well. Having our outsides contribute in such a big way changes everything," added Shelton. "Now, what do you do? We run some really good stuff when we're playing well, and, you know, my expectations are pretty high. So, you see me get riled up during games, but it's just, you know, you want the best out of your family, and you expect the best out of your family. For them, they are coming into their own."
 
Saturday's win gives the Warriors their third victory over a team in the NAIA Top 25, and it secures a season sweep over the Lions in the regular season.
 
Jessup dominated the first two sets on Saturday's match, winning the opener 25-18 and following it up with a 25-15 performance in the second.
 
The Warriors found themselves in some trouble late in the third, trailing 21-19. Shelton burned a timeout, and coming out of the break, Jessup kicked things into a new gear, scoring six of the next seven points to end the match early and take the set, 25-22.
 
Jessup posted a hitting percentage of .417 on Saturday compared to a .076 showing by the Lions.
 
Mallory Pazin led the way with a match-leading 22 assists. She also contributed 11 digs. Gonzalez (11) and Lauren Toon (10) also finished with double-digit digs.
 
Next on the schedule comes an important week for the Warriors as they will take on Menlo College twice. Entering Saturday, the Warriors and Oaks were tied for fifth place in the GSAC.
 
"We play them here first," said Shelton on the matchup with Menlo. "I think that's a good thing. It gives us a shot to take our home-field advantage and use it. And we'll see going into their place. It's going to be savage, to say the least."
 
Menlo will be in Rocklin on Thursday before hosting the Warriors on Saturday. Both matches are slated for 5 p.m.
   
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).