Game Recap By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

This was the scene of one of last season’s lowest points.

The Mustangs traveled north to Rocklin, California, in September 2017 and ran aground, falling to William Jessup in four sets, one day after stumbling at Menlo College in three.

It was appropriate — even poetic — that Master’s should make this trek again as it closes in on what would be the first Golden State Athletic Conference regular season title in program history. A rite of passage, if you will.

And it was telling that after the Mustangs dropped Friday’s first set, they responded with the resilience they’ve shown all year during an eye-popping turnaround.

Master’s rallied to beat William Jessup 3-1 in Rocklin this time, closing to within one win of earning at least a share of the GSAC title.

The No. 11-ranked Mustangs — who won by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 25-14 and 25-20 — played at Menlo College on Saturday at 7 p.m. in a match streamed through GoMustangs.com.

Anyone watching Friday saw the Mustangs (25-4, 14-1 GSAC) lose the first set of a match for just the seventh time this season. Coach Allan Vince’s message between sets was direct.

“I reminded them that William Jessup is much better than its record (9-17, 4-12),” Vince said. “They know how to battle at their own place. So don’t expect them to just hand you the win.

“You have to hit the ground harder on defense, hit the back line faster on your serve, and contact the ball higher to score.”

Master’s reached higher.

The Mustangs won the next three sets in relatively comfortable fashion — Jessup closed within two points late in sets two and four, but Master’s answered with 3-0 runs each time — to extended their winning streak to three matches.

Jane Cisar recorded a match-high 15 kills, Madi Fay added nine and Chloe Emory had eight.

Kayla Sims tallied 23 assists and McKenna Hafner chipped in 21 digs for Master’s, which leads No. 17 Westmont by two matches with three to play.

The rivals will flip opponents on Saturday. A Master’s win would claim at least a share of the conference title. A Master’s win and a Westmont loss would secure it outright.

But a win over Menlo won’t come easy. The Oaks pushed Westmont to five sets Friday night, the clincher decided by a 15-11 score.

The Mustangs will close the regular season with a two-match homestand. They’ll play No. 15 Vanguard University on Friday night and Life Pacific the following day.