AZUSA, CALIF. –  For the past 7 years and 18 matches, the Azusa Pacific-Fresno Pacific match-up has been one sided. Tonight was no different.
 
The NAIA's No.7-ranked Fresno Pacific took full advantage of its opportunities and used a strong defensive effort to defeat the 12^th-ranked Cougars, 30-19, 29-31, 30-25, 30-26 in a key early season Golden State Athletic Conference match-up.
 
With the win, the Sunbirds have now won the past 18 meetings between the 2 teams since 1994 and have not lost in Azusa since the 1984 season, a streak that spans 16 matches.
 
"We had to make several changes to our line-up tonight, because we are not very healthy," said Azusa Pacific head coach Gerry Gregory. "Once our lineup becomes a little more consistent, then we will be able to compete a little more evenly with a great team like Fresno."
 
Sophomore All-American Jenna Sagehorn (Chino Hills, Calif./Whittier Christian HS), who had 19 kills and 18 digs, paced Azusa Pacific, while fellow sophomore Christy Kimmel (Costa Mesa, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS) had 13 kills and 6 blocks. Freshman Adrienne Pepe (Arcadia, Calif./Maranatha HS), the GSAC's leading blocker, added 12 kills and 6 blocks.
 
The Sunbirds were paced by Lin Gao's 23 kills and 20 digs, while Jenne Gilbert chipped in with 16 kills and a match-high 32 digs. In all, the Sunbirds hit 27.2%, had 15 blocks and 101 digs. The Cougars hit 21.3%, had 23 blocks and 94 digs.
 
With the loss, Azusa Pacific is now 9-3 overall, 1-2 in the GSAC, while Fresno Pacific moves to 10-2, 3-0 in the GSAC.
 
Azusa Pacific travels to Santa Clarita Thursday night to face The Master's College at 7 p.m.