AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific, off to its best start since 1994, continued its improved play with a 3-game sweep of Hope International University in a GSAC match played in Azusa, Saturday night. The Cougars defeated HIU, 15-7, 15-6, 16-14.

Second-year Cougar coach Gerry Gregory was afforded the opportunity of resting his top 2 players, All-American Jennifer French and senior OH Izzy Bolles , both of whom played the first game and the early rallies of game 2 before sitting out the rest of the match. As a result, sophomore OH Bonnie Whipple came off the bench to collect a season-high 12 kills, including back-to-back counters that gave the Cougars a critical 15-14 lead in game 3.

Likewise, senior OH Kerri Rivas came off the bench to tally a season-high 8 kills on just 12 attempts. No kill was bigger than her eighth and final of the match. With the Cougars trailing 14-12 in the third game and struggling to find an offensive flow, Rivas pounded a ball down the near sideline to spark a Cougar rally of 4 straight points and clinch the match.

Sophomore Tishana Pope added 7 kills. Senior Lorna Lyttle collected 10 digs, while freshman setter Mahea Burgess recorded 5 aces.

Now 9-3 on the season, the Cougars are off to their best start since 1994, when that Cougar team, which eventually advanced to the NAIA Tourney, started the campaign at 15-3. Combined with Thursday's 4-game victory at No. 15-ranked Christian Heritage, the Cougars have now won 2 straight and are 2-1 in the GSAC, a game behind front running and No. 2-ranked Fresno Pacific, which the Cougars visit on Tuesday (Sept. 21).