by Matt Koll
The Westminster Titans are used to this.
Another year, another PAC Championship appearance under decorated head coach Tammy Swearingen who’s approaching 30 seasons at the helm.
Their goals remain the same every season: Practice with a purpose and improve every day, hustle (because it doesn’t take skill to hustle), earn the #1 seed in the PAC Tournament, win the PAC, earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament and finally, win that first match and more.
Spoken like a team that’s making its fourth consecutive championship appearance, right?
What makes this year’s title game a unique one is that on the other side, the Grove City Wolverines are finally breaking through after being held out of this match for 19 years. It’s a sweet moment of gratification for the program, but it’s not something that head coach Leo Sayles says is on their minds heading into tonight’s title tilt.
“After the year we have had with all of the covid-related mayhem, we are just enjoying the opportunity to play one more game,” said Sayles. “We know that we have nothing to prove. The team earned the right to be here and is determined to make the most of this opportunity. So we are focused on the present, and can take time to appreciate the history behind this run after the season is over.”
After losing 3-1 to them on April 7th, the Wolverines defeated Geneva 3-0 on Tuesday night to survive and advance into the final. Freshman Anna DeGraaf had a match-high 14 kills and senior Elizabeth Sems had seven kills and 14 digs.
“Liz (Sems) is the backbone of this team. She is a complete player and contributes significantly to almost every area of the game. Her drive and determination has guided our young team this year, and she has done it with a humble spirit,” Sayles said.
When Westminster-Grove City met the first time this year, the Titans swept the Wolverines 3-0 and it wasn’t particularly close (25-15, 25-12, 25-12). Sayles admits that they weren’t about slow down Westminster’s leading offense and they’re going to have to find a way to disrupt that offense and control the tempo of the game if they don’t want a repeat of the results.
It’s a tall task as Westminster leads the conference in hitting percentage, assists and kills. Not only that, the Titans also lead in digs and blocks.
“Each year the team has different dynamics,” said Swearingen. “There are days that I believe we are better than last year but that is yet to be seen. This year is different with all the COVID issues. We have worked hard to keep the team focused and able to roll with the punches. We move a lot of people around in practice to get them use to playing by different people. We need to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The question now becomes whether Grove City can make Westminster uncomfortable. If any offense can do it, it’s this one. They’re right behind Westminster in kills, assists and digs as well as boasting the 3rd-highest hitting percentage in the PAC.
It all sets up for what should be an exciting battle for the title on Thursday. Grove City looking to end a nearly two decade long draught while Westminster still has some of those goals to check off their list. You can watch all of the exciting action of tonight’s PAC volleyball championship on the PAC Sports Network at www.pacstream.net.
