FRESNO, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific opened its 2004 campaign with a fine showing at the 2004 Sunbird Invitational at Fresno Pacific winning 3 of its 4 matches.

After dropping their season opener to Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) in 5 games, the Cougars reeled off 3 straight impressive wins to close out the tournament with a 3-1 mark.

The Cougars defeated NAIA Region II Notre Dame de Namur in 4 games, 30-25, 30-28, 19-30, 30-26, to close out the opening day. During the second day of action the Cougars knocked off Oregon Tech (30-23, 30-19, 30-19) before closing out the tournament with a win over Malone (Ohio) (30-20, 30-25, 30-25).

In the opener against SCAD, the Cougars jumped out to a 2-0 lead after taking the first 2 games, 30-22 and 30-18. But SCAD rebounded with a pair of 32-30 wins before sealing the comeback with a 15-10 win in the final game. Three Cougars reached double figures in kills led by newcomer Colleen Walker's 18. Walker also had a match-high 20 digs. Katrina Anker added 15 kills and 13 digs, and Chelsea Morgan chipped in with 10 kills and 7 blocks.

Walker again led the way with a match-high 19 kills against Notre Dame de Namur to lead the Cougar attack. Anker finished with 12, and freshman Alison Pattison added 23 digs.

Three Cougars reached double figure kills in a relatively easy sweep of Oregon Tech. Anker led the way with 13 followed by 11 apiece from Walker and Jenny Brickner. Pattison added 24 digs. Anker had 13.

In the tournament finale, a 3-game sweep of Malone, Morgan finished with 14 kills, while Walker added 12 kills and 12 digs. Brickner had 6 kills and 7 blocks (4 solo).