Box Score SAN FRANSICO – Azusa Pacific got their bay area trip started out in the right direction by posting a 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 25-18) win over Academy of Art on Thursday evening. 

A well balanced offense was a key to the victory as three players posted double figure kills. Mattie Shelford had a team best 12 kills while Crystal Dedes added 11 kills and a .421 hitting percentage. Joy Reinke contributed a 10-kill evening. Katy Crouse also played a significant role by tallying nine kills.

The duo of Jaden Louie and Tristan Racich directed the offense as they notched 24 and 23 assists respectively. Racich posted her second double-double of the season by digging up 10 balls. Kristina Kam had a team best 19 digs with Alicia Utke posting an 18-dig night. 

The Cougars jumped out to a commanding 8-2 lead in the opening set. Academy of Art made a furious comeback and tied the first set at 15-15. However, Azusa Pacific beared down and never let the home team grab the lead as they won 10 of the final 15 points to claim the first set 25-20. In the first set the Cougars offense was clicking well as they had 15 kills and posted a .480 hitting percentage. 

Academy of Art responded quickly in the second set. The home team won the first eight points and never looked back as they tied the match at 1-1.

The script flipped back into the Cougars favors in the third stanza. They jumped out to a 7-3 lead and never trailed the remainder of the frame. Despite holding the lead throughout the set Azusa Pacific fought hard to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Academy of Art tied the score at 20-20 which caused the Cougars to call a timeout. A regrouped Azusa Pacific squad responded after the stoppage of play by ending the set on a 5-2 scoring spurt. 

In the fourth set the Cougars put a strangle hold on frame just before the midway point. Already holding a 10-9 lead, Azusa Pacific won five straight points to grab the momentum. The home team got as close as four points at 16-12 but couldn't pull any closer as the Cougars upped their PacWest record to 2-1 while evening their overall record at 6-6.

On Friday evening the Cougars face off against Holy Names for the second time in a week. Last Friday evening Azusa Pacific posted a three-set win.