AZUSA, CALIF. –  After 3 straight nail biters in the Felix Event Center, Tuesday night's match was quite the contrast. Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 14 in the NAIA, needed a little more than one hour to defeat Hope International, 30-17, 30-24, 30-18.
 
The win is the Cougars' third in a row and their tenth in the past 12 matches. The past 3 matches in Azusa were all 5-game thrillers, including a dazzling comeback from a 2-0 deficit last Thursday vs. The Master's. Tonight was much different.
 
The Cougars used a balanced attack as 10 different players recorded at least one kill. The Cougars hit a solid 28.2% and held HIU to –3.9%.
 
Roxanna Mercer led the way with a team-high 8 kills. She also added 5 digs. Freshman Adrienne Pepe and sophomores Jenna Sagehorn and Christy Kimmel all had 7 kills. Pepe added 6 blocks and fellow freshman Leslie Justis had a career-high 7.
 
With the win, the Cougars improve to 19-6 overall, 10-5 GSAC. Hope International falls to 3-20, 1-14.