AZUSA, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 11-ranked Azusa Pacific volleyball team cleared another hurdle Tuesday night, defeating No. 7-ranked Westmont in 3 games (15-6, 15-5, 15-8) in both teams' GSAC opener. The sweep was the Cougars' first win over the Warriors in the past 6 meetings and the first ever under third-year head coach Gerry Gregory.

"It is a difficult thing to overcome tradition," said Gregory. "The team members have confidence in themselves and were disciplined enough to make the plays that were required to have a good match."

Senior Lydia Ayala (13 kills, 4 blocks) and freshman Christy Kimmel (10 kills, 5 blocks – 2 solo) paced the attack, as the Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the match with a 15-6 Game 1 victory. Junior Tishanna Pope added 7 kills and 4 blocks (1 solo) for the Cougars, while freshman Jenna Sagehorn tallied 9 kills, as the Cougars cruised to a 15-5 victory in the second game. After trailing 12-2, Westmont rallied to make the third game the closest, but a strong defense held off the Warriors in a 15-8 game 3, completing the Cougar sweep.

"The first game definitely set the pace," said Sagehorn. "I think they were very surprised by how well we played."

Aside from being Azusa Pacific's first win over Westmont since 1997, it was the Cougars' first sweep over the Warriors since 1991, and their first sweep over Westmont at home since 1983. The Cougars, 1-0 in GSAC and now 9-1 overall, are off to their best start since 1980, when they ran off 12 victories to open the season, then went on to win the NAIA national championship. With the loss, Westmont drops to 0-1 in GSAC, 6-2 overall.

GAME STATS
Westmont           6     5     8
Azusa Pacific     15    15    15 

Kills:  Lubisich (WC) 14, Ayala (APU) 13
        Kimmel (APU) 10, Sagehorn (APU) 9
Blocks: Burgess (APU), Kimmel (APU) 5
Digs:   Sagehorn (APU) 15, Gause (14)
Aces:   Kimmel (APU), Hickox (WC) 2