SALT LAKE CITY - The Lewis-Clark State College women's volleyball team played one of its most inspired matches of the season and now controls its destiny in the Frontier Conference title race.

 

For the second time this season, the Warriors defeated conference favorite Westminster, this time 22-30, 30-28, 30-27, 30-20 on the road Friday night.

 

The win leaves the two teams tied for first in the conference standings at 8-2 along with Montana Tech. Westminster, which is ranked No. 11 in the NAIA, is 16-6 overall, while LCSC, ranked No. 28, is 14-5

 

LCSC, however, controls its own destiny in the chase for the conference title. Because of the sweep, LCSC holds the tiebreaker advantage over Westminster. If LCSC wins its final four matches, all in conference play, the Warriors, picked to finish sixth in the league in the coaches' preseason poll, will capture the title.

 

Against Westminster, the Warriors struggled in the first game when Westminster hit .400, but a switch fired up LCSC.

 

Junior Cintia Alessi, who has been hampered by an abdominal pull for more than a month, moved from the libero position to a front-row spot and Lindsay Scott took over as libero after the first game. The result paid off as Alessi finished with nine kills and 19 digs.

 

LCSC coach Jen Greeny says the team played with more emotion in the match, which was the key.

 

"We came out in practice in the morning ready to play," Greeny said. "You could see it. We played pretty well tonight."

 

Anile Clemente led the Warriors with 18 kills, while Julie Maciboba and Brittney Kubik had 10 apiece. Maciboba also had three service aces, while Kubik had 11 of LCSC's 16 blocks. The Warriors outblocked Westminster 16-8.

 

Lisa Davis added 29 assists, while Kim Fong had 22 for the Warriors.

 

The Warriors play their final two home matches of the season this week, taking on Rocky Mountain College on Friday at 7 p.m., and then Carroll College at noon on Sunday, both at the LCSC Activity Center. LCSC's normal schedule is being interrupted this week with the Idaho State 1A high school volleyball tournament being held in the Activity Center.

 

The Warriors wrap up the season on the following weekend, playing at Montana-Western on Nov. 2 and Montana Tech on Nov. 3.

 

"We just have to take care of business," LCSC coach Jen Greeny said