By Mason Nesbitt, Sports Information Director
Sometime early in Saturday’s second set, a Life Pacific player skied a ball toward the ceiling inside The MacArthur Center.

TMU junior Autumn Stevens eyed the ball’s parabolic path and waited. She timed her jump and swatted it down to an empty patch of hardwood.

The play was one of many highlights in a 3-0 win over the Warriors. But this kill told the story of one of the most prolific seasons in program history.

The Mustangs had to wait until the final day of the regular season to claim the program’s first-ever Golden State Athletic Conference title outright, but in due time Master’s put it away where no one could touch it.

“That’s what I kept motivating them with,” said coach Allan Vince. “‘By the way, ladies, you know what you’re fighting for, right?’ And then they’re like, ‘Let’s go.'”

The Mustangs (27-5, 16-2 GSAC) entered the night with a one match lead on Westmont College. With wins of 25-15, 25-16 and 25-20, Master’s made sure it stayed that way, earning the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament and matching its most wins in a season since 1996 when the program won 31 under coach Dean Conk.

The Master’s last won 27 matches in 2012, a season in which it advanced to nationals and went 1-3 on the big stage.

Saturday night the Mustangs completed the first of several goals: winning a regular season title. So, what’s next?

“We want to win the GSAC tournament and get a strong seed to go to nationals,” Vince said.

Master’s – ranked No. 13 in the NAIA – will receive a bye to the semifinals of the GSAC tournament, meaning it won’t play until Saturday at 11 a.m. at Hope International in Fullerton. TMU’s opponent is yet to be determined.

So, too, is the ending to what’s been an epic season. The Mustangs won 11 matches last year, a number it nearly matched through nine contests in 2018.

In rising as high as No. 11 in the country, Master’s received contributions from up and down its roster. Saturday wasn’t an exception.

Jane Cisar was nearly immaculate, totaling 12 kills on 15 attempts. She didn’t make an error. She hit .800.

Kayla Sims, one night after moving into second place on TMU’s all-time assists list, recorded 10 kills and 21 assists. She also had 10 digs.

Regan Tate followed up a strong performance in Friday’s 3-1 win over No. 18 Vanguard with nine kills against Life Pacific. Sarah Park had 17 assists on a night the Mustangs refused to relax.

Yes, the squad danced and yelled in the locker room beforehand. No, they didn’t take it easy.

“We wanted to honor our seniors, give them a chance to show who they are and the leaders that they’ve been this season,” said Tate of an evening that featured a pregame ceremony for Sims and Emily Curtin. “It was nice that we could fight and play hard and do it.”