AZUSA, Calif. -- The NAIA's No. 6-ranked Azusa Pacific took a rollercoaster ride to beat Westmont in 5 sets, 25-18, 18-25, 20-25, 25-14, 17-15, in Golden State Athletic Conference play at the Felix Event Center Tuesday evening.

The Cougars came out with a great first set but then handed all momentum to Westmont, which took the next 2 sets and assume a stunning 2-1 set advantage. The Cougars tallied 21 errors in the second and third sets, struggling with serve receive and passing.

"After game one, I didn't make any changes but the girls had a big letdown," said Cougar coach Chris Keife. "We cruised pretty easily in the first, even though we weren't real sharp, and I think the girls thought they could go in cruise mode and do that again."

It wasn't until the 10th point of the fourth set after being down 6-4, that the Cougars began to play like a top-10-ranked team. Senior outside hitter Jill Baker had a key solo block and freshman setter Sophie Burns answered with an important serving ace that tied the game at 6. From then on the Cougars made a 19-8 run to take the fourth in similarly first-set easy fashion.

"We needed to play APU volleyball" Keife said, "which is having discipline and playing with passion and knowing that we can compete at a high level. We had to clean up all the little things and go out there and execute like we have been and that is what they did."

With a monumental upset within reach, Westmont did not go lightly in the fifth set. In fact, the 2 teams put together a fifth-set effort that featured 8 ties and 9 lead changes. Though the Warriors knew Azusa Pacific was going to lean on the All-American Baker, they couldn't slow her down. Baker had a set-high 7 kills, including 3 straight that knotted the match at 11-11.

"I told our setters we were going to ride Jill all the way to the end and keep giving her the ball," said Keife. "When you have someone like her, why not use her."

The Cougars began to seal the deal after a serving ace from sophomore middle blocker Amy Alkazin which swung momentum back on Azusa Pacific's side. Baker led all players with a match-high 24 kills and a team-high 20 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Marguerite Hanna, who had 11 kills which aided the Cougars in attack. Junior defensive specialist Julia Wehsener tallied 15 digs after splitting time with sophomore libero Robin Portela, who had 12. Sophomore middle blocker Ariel Beetstra had a match high 7 blocks and Alkazin was there in support with 6.

Westmont's sophomore middle blocker Samantha Miller led the Warriors with 16 kills and 6 total blocks.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific moves to 17-6 overall, 8-3 in GSAC play. Westmont drops to 12-9 overall and 3-8 in GSAC play. Azusa Pacific continues conference play Thursday (Oct. 15) with a 7 p.m. visit to No. 2-ranked California Baptist.