LA VERNE, Calif. -- It's been nearly 10 years, 1996 to be exact, since La Verne and Azusa Pacific met on the volleyball court. After Wednesday night, Azusa Pacific would just assume it go another 10 years before their next meeting.
The 2001 NCAA Division III national champion used a dominating defensive effort and took advantage of several key Cougar miscues to earn a 3-1 non-conference win over Azusa Pacific, 30-27, 23-30, 30-23, 30-26.
With the loss, the Cougars fall to 3-2 on the season as they get set to head to Phoenix to participate in the Grand Canyon (Ariz.) Tournament over the weekend where their first opponent will be the NAIA's No. 3-ranked Madonna (Mich.).
The Leopards, ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division III poll, are 1-0.
The Cougars had won 4 of the previous 5 meetings with the Leos, but Mandy Sedia's match-high 18 kills and 78 Leopard digs proved to be too much for the Cougars, who had to play catch up for most of the night. And each time the Cougars were in the midst of a spurt to get back into the match, La Verne stepped up its defense to thwart the run.
They stepped up the offense as well. After committing 14 attack errors in the first 2 games, the Leos committed just 6 errors the rest of the way, including a mere 1 in the crucial third game. Meanwhile, the Cougars, who made just 7 errors in the first 2 games, committed 17 in the final 2 games.
Chelsea Morgan led the Cougars with 16 kills and hit at a .467 clip, while Colleen Walker finished with 14 kills and 13 digs. Alison Pattison had a match-high 23 digs.
Down 2-1 and trailing by a hefty margin midway through the fourth set, the Cougars began to gain momentum climbing back in the match but failed to get over the hump. Twice the Cougars had a chance to either tie or take the lead, and both times they committed service errors to give away points. They finished the match with 16 total service errors.
Brianne Huff chipped in with 13 kills and 7 digs. Maria Abaca added 9 kills, 5 aces and 15 digs. Setter Courtney Fox finished with 60 assists.
