Box Score AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific put themselves back into the win column with a vengeance.
On Tuesday evening the Cougars put together one of their best offensive efforts of the season in recording a 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-22) victory over Chaminade. The win snapped a six-match losing skid.
Azusa Pacific had three players record double figure kills as they posted a season high .325 team hitting percentage in the sweep.
Alicia Utke had a team high 14 kills while hitting .353 from her outside hitter spot. Utke also put together her second double-double of the season by digging up 12 balls. Ashley Midlands hit .450 with 11 kills while Mattie Shelford chipped in a 10-kill evening.
"I'm happy with the way we hit and we managed our offense very well," said head coach Chris Keife. "Overall the team controlled the ball very effectively. We were very low error team and that put a lot pressure on our opponent."
Both Cougar setters directed the offense efficiently as Jaden Louie had 23 assists while Tristan Racich handed out 18 assists.
The Cougars started to pull away as they grabbed a seemingly comfortable 15-10 lead in the opening set. However, the Silver Swords won five of the next six points to force Azusa Pacific into a timeout. The stoppage stopped the Chaminade tide as Azusa Pacific pushed ahead 20-16. The visitors were able to get to 22-21 but they couldn't overtake the Cougars as Azusa Pacific won the first set 25-21.
Azusa Pacific jumped out to an 8-4 lead to start the second frame which forced Chaminade into an early timeout. Coming out of the break the Cougars (12-13, 8-8 PacWest) continued to apply the pressure as they upped their lead to 16-8. The quick start forced the Silver Swords to use both their timeouts early. The Cougars kept applying the pressure with an effective hitting effort as they took a 2-0 lead in the match with a convincing 25-15 victory. In that frame the Cougars put a team hitting percentage of .375 (17 kills, 2 errors, 40 attempts).
Chaminade started well in the third set as they held an 11-8 early lead. However, Azusa Pacific was not to be denied. The Cougars won six of the next seven points to take a 14-12 lead and forced the Silver Swords (12-14, 5-11 PacWest) into a timeout. The brief lapse in play helped the visitors as they came out of the break with a four-point run. The Cougars went back on the offensive after that point by nudging ahead 19-17. The visitors pulled within 22-21 but no closer as Azusa Pacific won the set 25-22 to seal the match.
The Cougars will look to get back into win column again on Thursday when they hosted Hawaii Hilo at 7 p.m.
