header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


At nationals last year, The Master’s University women’s volleyball team learned what it would take to make a deep post-season run.

“I think it was a really eye-opening experience for us to see the level we need to elevate to if we want to be a national contender and get out of pool play,” said senior libero McKenna Hafner.

Now, as Master’s opens the 2019 volleyball season Wednesday at the Hope Summer Slam in Fullerton, the team must learn another lesson: how to play as the favorite – not the underdog.

The Mustangs began what turned out to be a groundbreaking 2018 campaign as a fourth-place team in the preseason Golden State Athletic Conference coaches’ poll. As it turned out, Master’s went on to win the program’s first GSAC regular season and tournament titles, placing a target firmly on the club’s back. Monday, the GSAC announced that Master’s had been picked by conference coaches as the top team.

“There is definitely extra pressure,” said junior Madi Fay (pictured above). “But I think these are the kind of girls that don’t fall back when that pressure is on them. This kind of pressure motivates us to play harder, and it makes it more exciting rather than making us timid or nervous.”

In addition to Fay, who was an All-GSAC pick at opposite hitter for the first time in her career in 2018, the Mustangs also return All-GSAC and NAIA All-American pick Jane Cisar, who made a nearly seamless transition from opposite hitter to middle blocker a year ago.

With a full season at her new position under her belt, it’s possible Cisar will prove to be even more of a problem for opponents as a senior.

In 2018, she was one of the country’s most utilized middles on the offensive attack, and she was pristinely efficient. Cisar compiled a .345 hitting percentage, highest in the GSAC and 15th best in the NAIA.

She was strong on defense, too. Her 139 total blocks were a program single-season record.

“I’m hoping that at this point I can really just infuse the more intellectual part of the game and create smarter plays and put the ball where it needs to be,” Cisar said. “I think consistency is the name of the game this year, and I’m hoping to progress in my hitting percentage as well as kills with the mindset of knowing what to do with the ball (in any situation).”

One of the biggest holes in the Mustangs’ volleyball roster entering the offseason appeared to be at the setter position. Kayla Sims, second on the program’s all-time assists ledger, had run out of eligibility, and no one with extensive collegiate setting experience was returning.

There was no need to fret.

TMU head coach Allan Vince signed community college transfer Katie Emmerling, and the junior has turned heads in preseason training.

“I like her athleticism and her aggressive play,” said Fay, who will split time at opposite hitter and setter as part of a 6-2 system. “She plays with an aggressive mindset. Not timid, but willing to do the harder set or do something uncomfortable in order to make the better play for the hitters.”

One of those hitters will be Regan Tate, a senior who compiled a career-high 255 kills last season, third most on the team behind Cisar and Fay.

Tate was one of the Mustangs’ key producers in one of their most important matches of the season, a 3-1 win over Westmont in the GSAC tournament title game. Tate recorded a match-high 16 kills, helping the Mustangs beat the Warriors for the second time in three matches and build momentum toward what was the program’s first NAIA nationals appearance since 2013.

Master’s went 0-3 in Sioux City, Iowa, falling short of advancing out of pool play. But, the Mustangs enter 2019 with a confidence they didn’t possess last season until after they opened the year on a nine-match winning streak.

“I think there’s a lot more confidence this year,” Fay said. “I think last year at the beginning we were getting into our groove and we went in not knowing what the season was going to look like because we had the season before that was really weak.”

The early portion of the Mustangs’ volleyball schedule, at least on paper, will be more difficult this season.

The increased level of competition should give players like Rebecca Swenning and Emilye Grace Williams at outside hitter; Emily Scott and Jessi Swenning at middle blocker; and Mackenzie Delo and Kinzi Lockhart at defensive specialist the opportunity to show what they can do.

— By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Cason Brownell had a bases-loaded double in the first and added a home run in the sixth to knock in all four runs The Master's needed in a 4-3 win over Westcliff Tuesday in Irvine.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com