Cougars Let 3 Leads Slip Away

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Westmont was forced to come from behind in all three games to pull off a sweep of Azusa Pacific, 15-13, 15-12, 15-11. The Warriors (13-f5, 644 GSAC) entered the contest ranked No. 23 in the NAIA polls, while the Cougars (16–5, 6–4 GSAC) were ranked No. 16.

The Warriors broke a 4–4 tie in the first game with 4 straight points, highlighted by a pair of kills from Tena Mensonides. The Cougars then came back and eventually took an 11–9 lead on a kill by Tishanna pope. Westmont rebounded again with 5 straight points to go up 14–11, and after APU closed within one, Patti Scofield put the game away with a kill.

The Cougars bolted to a 9-2 lead in the second game using a balanced attack. Six different players recorded kills during the run, including 4 by Jenna Sagehorn. Westmont cut into the lead to make it 9–6, but Azusa Pacific pushed the gap back to 11–7. Cory Kennedy served three points to make the margin just one, and the Warriors eventually tied it at 12–12. After five side outs, a kill by Sarah Biddle and 2 by Schofield closed out the game.

Westmont took the early lead in the third game. Only to see the Cougars go on a 6–0 run to go up 10–6. Another rally by the Warriors tied the score at 11–11. A block and kills by Schofield and Jennifer Rodgers gave Westmont the lead for good, and Elsa Lubisich recorded to kill to end the match.

Mensonides had her best match of the year with 19 kills and an attack percentage of .457. She also added five blocks. Schofield ended with 17 kills, well Lubisich had 13 kills and 19 digs.

Christy Kimmel paced Azusa Pacific with 14 kills and 4 blocks. Roxanna Mercer at 12 kills and 6 blocks, while Sagehorn ended with 10 kills and 11 digs. Mahea Burgess recorded 46 assists. The Cougars were playing without starting middle blocker Lydia Ayala, who was out with an injury.

The win moves Westmont into a three-way tie for third in the GSAC along with Azusa Pacific and Biola. Point Loma Nazarene leads the conference at 10-0, followed by Fresno Pacific at 9-1.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Mahea Burgess: S; 5' 5"; Freshman

#7 Lydia Ayala: MB; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Mahea Burgess
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: S

#7 Lydia Ayala
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MB

Players Mentioned

#4 Mahea Burgess

#7 Lydia Ayala

Players Mentioned

#4 Mahea Burgess

#7 Lydia Ayala