IRVINE, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 23-ranked Azusa Pacific came within a whisper of sweeping GSAC rival Concordia. As it was, though, Concordia knocked off the Cougars, 16-14, 9-15, 11-15, 15-12, 15-8, in Azusa Pacific's first 5-game match of the season.

Azusa Pacific and Concordia opened the marathon match with an extended first game. Had the Cougars prevailed, the 2 teams' night would have been much shorter. Yet, Concordia took the first game and then rallied from a 2-1 game deficit to pick up the conference win.

Sophomore Bonnie Whipple paced the Cougars with a career-high 25 kills, but was plagued by 15 hitting errors. All-American Jennifer French and T.J. Gause recorded season-highs of 24 kills and 18 kills, respectively. Fellow freshman Mahea Burgess notched a match-leading 26 digs, followed by Gause with 22.

Azusa Pacific put together fine game 2 to even the match at 1-1. The Cougars had 18 kills in 48 attempts in the second game for a .313 hitting clip. However, they ran out of gas, hitting at just a .168 pace over the final 2 games

Concordia went up 12-8 in game 4 before Azusa Pacific rallied to tie the score at 12. Concordia held on with the help of 4 team blocks in game 4, winning 15-12.

The Eagles saved their best for last, taking leads of 6-1 and 11-4 in the pivotal game 5. Concordia also hit a .321 clip and had 4 more team blocks in game 5.

With the win, Concordia improves to 12-5 overall, 3-2 in the GSAC. Meanwhile, the Cougars, who lose for the first time in Irvine since 1988 and have a 10-match winning streak on the Eagles' home court snapped, fall to 9-5 overall, 2-3 in the GSAC.