AZUSA, CALIF. –  It came one match later than it was hoped for, but head coach Gerry Gregory and the NAIA's No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific will take it. The Cougars shrugged off a tough loss to Biola Tuesday night and defeated Vanguard University, 28-30, 30-16, 30-20, 30-23 to pick up their first GSAC win in front of an enthusiastic Felix Event Center crowd.
 
With the match hanging in the balance tied at one game apiece and game 3 tied at 17, junior T.J. Gause (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS) took the serve and reeled off 11 straight points, including 3 aces, giving the Cougars a 28-17 lead, and consequently, complete control of the match.
 
"We found a weakness on the other side of the net, and we like to exploit those until the other team can side out," said Gregory. "Vanguard is a good passing team, but got into a funk and couldn't get out of it."
 
Vanguard caught the Cougars off guard in the early going. The Cougars led 15-8 and then 20-14 before the Lions rallied to take a 22-21 lead. The 2 teams traded leads until the Lions took the lead for good 28-27, putting the game away.
 The Cougars rebounded in grand fashion, taking game 2, 30-16, on the strength of 42% hitting, while limiting Vanguard to just 0%. They then took control with the strong run in the third game, and then closed the door with a dominating performance in the fourth game.
 
"We started out slow, but ended by playing hard," said Gause. "Coach (Gregory) told me to attack the same place on the court with my serve," said Gause. "That put all the pressure on them to come up with points."
 
Sophomore All-American Jenna Sagehorn (Chino Hills, Calif./Whittier Christian HS) once again led all players with 21 kills and 21 digs. She also hit an impressive 31.9% as the Cougars had 4 players hit 25% or better for the match. Gause ended with 9 kills, 19 digs and 4 aces, and freshman Adrienne Pepe (Arcadia, Calif./Maranatha HS) chipped in with 16 kills and 6 blocks.
 
 "Our confidence was down from the Biola match," said Gregory. "Then falling down early after having a lead was a bit disconcerting. Vanguard played hard tonight and that kept pressure on us."
 
Azusa Pacific next hosts No. 12 Fresno Pacific Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Felix Event Center.