Westcliff University women’s basketball began the 2026-27 season with a 75-59 road loss to Benedictine University Mesa on November 3, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona. The game was the collegiate head coaching debut for Sierra Vaglica at Westcliff.
Westcliff fell behind early, trailing 23-9 after the first quarter. The Warriors then outscored Benedictine Mesa in each of the remaining three quarters—16 in the second, 19 in the third, and 15 in the fourth—but could not overcome the initial deficit against a strong GSAC opponent.
Maria Serrano led the Warriors with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Elizabeth Cota-Gaxiola contributed 12 points, including four three-pointers, while Christen Ziska added 11 points with two triples. Off the bench, Stasia Duque provided eight points, making four of six free throws. Defensively, Westcliff totaled 10 steals and three blocks. Marina Interiano led the team with eight rebounds, and Honesty Interiano added seven rebounds and two steals.
Westcliff shot 35.2 percent from the field, compared to 45.6 percent for Benedictine Mesa. The Warriors committed 21 turnovers that led to 8 points for the opponent, while forcing 17 turnovers and yielding 16 points off those.
Coach Vaglica acknowledged the team’s slow start but found encouraging signs in the team’s fight back. “I think the excitement of playing our first game got to us. We did not settle in until the second quarter. Credit to Benedictine, they jumped on us early and maintained their lead. I think we had some really good moments. But we still have some work to do. It is about stringing those moments together to create a more complete game. I am excited for the potential we have,” she said. She also noted that without the first quarter, Westcliff lost by just two points, showing promise against a strong GSAC opponent.
Following this opener, Westcliff was scheduled to play Arizona Christian on the road the next day with a 5 p.m. tip-off, aiming to build on the positives and continue improving under Vaglica’s leadership, which emphasizes relationships, preparation, and daily growth.
CSB Take
Sierra Vaglica’s debut as Westcliff University women’s basketball head coach demonstrated promising signs despite the season-opening loss. The Warriors’ ability to recover from a difficult first quarter and compete closely with a reputable GSAC team lays a solid foundation for the season. To advance, Westcliff will need to focus on reducing turnovers and sustaining consistent effort game-wide. With Vaglica’s emphasis on growth and preparation, the Warriors are positioned to strengthen their performance as they progress through the 2026-27 schedule.
Source: Original report
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