Box Score SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Azusa Pacific had to sweat it out but they completed a three match stretch in the Bay Area by knocking off Dominican.  Saturday's match went the distance as the Cougars posted a 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 25-16, 24-26, 15-8) win.

The home team started the match well as they grabbed the lead in the early stages and never relented as they won the first set by an eight-point spread.

A tightly played second stanza went the Cougars way. Azusa Pacific held a steady lead but couldn't get complete control of the frame. After the home team tied the score at 19-19, the Cougars gave themselves some breathing room with three straight points. The Penguins made a brief comeback but never took the lead as the Cougars won the set 25-23 to tie the match at a set each.

Azusa Pacific (7-6, 4-1) looked to be in complete control after a successful third set. They had 18 points come via the kill as they hit .245 in the stanza. The Penguins could only muster a .045 hitting percentage and eight kills. 

Dominican came back in a nip-and-tuck fourth set. Neither team secured a lead larger than three points. The Penguins fought off a match point then forced a decisive fifth set with a 26-24 victory. During the frame the score changed hands on six occasions and was tied 11 times before the home team pushed the match to the limit.

In the final set, the team's traded the first two points before the Cougars nudged ahead. Already holding a 5-4 edge, Azusa Pacific scored seven of the next 10 points to go in front 12-7 and force a Dominican timeout. The stoppage in play did little to stem the Cougars momentum as they won the match four points later.

Alicia Utke set a personal season high with a team best 16 kills. Mattie Shelford was just behind her with a 15-kill evening. 

Jaden Louie directed the offense to the tune of a 38-assist contest. She also dug up 12 balls for her second double-double of the season. Kristina Kam had a team high 23 digs. 

GAME NOTES
Azusa Pacific is now 7-1 all-time vs. Dominican … The 4-1 conference start is the best league start for a Cougars team since 2009 when they won four of their first five in the GNAC … Azusa Pacific makes a Friday trip to Dixie State on Oct. 3 for their next match