AZUSA, CALIF. – The NAIA's No. 15-ranked Azusa Pacific used a balance attack from Jenna Sagehorn, Tishanna Pope, Christy Kimmel and Roxanna Mercer to post its second straight GSAC sweep, disposing of Vanguard, 15-5, 15-9, 15-6.
 
Sagehorn led the Cougar offense with 11 kills, followed by Pope's 9, Kimmel's 7 and Mercer's 5.  Azusa Pacific was never in danger though the Cougars did allow Vanguard to jump out to a 6-1 lead in game 2 before roaring back to close the game with a 14-3 run.  Throughout the match, Azusa Pacific took advantage of Vanguard's checkered passing, collecting a season-high 10 aces in the match.
 
In the third and deciding game, reserves Bonnie Whipple and Amy Graley led the charge from the gate and the Cougars skated to a 9-1 cushion before eventually closing out the match in less than 70 minutes of play.
 
The win pushes the Cougar record to 16-4 overall and 6-3 at the halfway point of the GSAC season.  The 16 wins are the most by a Cougar team since 1994.  Vanguard falls to 1-12 overall and 1-8 in the GSAC.
 

MATCH STATS

Vanguard               5     9     6
Azusa Pacific         15    15    15
 
Kills:  Sagehorn (APU) 11, Birkauser (VU) 9,
        Kimmel (APU) 9, Godfrey (VU) 8
Digs:   Gause (APU) 13, Burgess (APU) 10
Blocks: Tucker (VU) 4, Mercer (APU) 3, Pope (APU) 3
Aces:   Mercer (APU) 4, Sagehorn (APU) 3