AZUSA, CALIF. –  It's no secret that since GSAC play began 2 weeks ago Azusa Pacific has struggled. Tonight, the Cougars looked like the Azusa Pacific of old in a convincing 3-game sweep of Concordia, 30-21, 30-19, 31-29, in Azusa.
 
Coupled with the win Tuesday night over Hope International, the Cougars have won 2 straight for the first time since winning a pair of games September 1 at the Concordia Tournament.
 
"Concordia made some charges at us, and luckily we were able to withstand them," said Azusa Pacific head coach Gerry Gregory. "Game 3 was a frustrating game for both teams at different times. I'm sure they are kicking themselves because they let the game get away, and at times we were kicking ourselves because we let several points get away."
 
The Cougars easily took the opening game, 30-21, and then used dramatics to take the final 2. In the second game, the Eagles led 14-13 before freshmen Maria Abaca (Sun Valley, Calif./Village Christian HS) took serve and reeled off 12 straight points, giving the Cougars an insurmountable 25-14 advantage.
 
In the final game, Concordia took a 13-12 lead, then put the Cougars on their heels and appeared to be on the verge of forcing a fourth game when the lead ballooned to 29-25. Sophomore Roxanna Mercer (Long Beach, Calif./Millikan HS)then took serve and steered the Cougars away from 4 straight game points, and eventually to the win.
 
Junior T.J. Gause (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS) led all players with 14 kills and 27 digs. Mercer and Christy Kimmel (Costa Mesa, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS) each chipped in with 10 kills apiece.
 
"I thought that Roxanna had a breakout match," said Cougar head coach Gerry Gregory.  "She was a force for us offensively"
 
With the win, Azusa Pacific is now 11-4 overall, 3-3 in the GSAC, while Concordia falls to 9-6, 2-4 in the GSAC.
 
Monday's scheduled match with Belmont University has been cancelled. The Cougars next play at California Baptist Tuesday night (Sept. 25) at 7 p.m. in Riverside.