Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Cougars nearly played the maximum on Saturday as they fell in four to Saginaw Valley before rebounding with a marathon five-set win over Cal State Monterey Bay.

Match 1 – Saginaw Valley 3, Azusa Pacific 1 (25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 25-17)

Despite solid offensive numbers from Katy Crouse and Mattie Shelford the Cougars couldn't overcome a balanced Saginaw Valley attack. Crouse recorded a match best 15 kills while Shelford added a 14-kill performance but the Cardinals had five players who recorded at least eight kills.

Kelsey Ferla had a team high 11 kills on 29 swings for the Cardinals. Both Andrea Bingham and Ashley Driscoll each contributed 10 kills with Driscoll tallying a .368 hitting percentage. The well rounded attacked was completed by Makenzie Frodle's and Kaylee Schmitt's eight-kill morning.

Azusa Pacific had to play catch-up from the start as the Cardinals raced out to an 11-4 lead to start the opening set. The Cougars mounted a comeback to get within two points at 22-20 after a kill from Shelford but couldn't draw any closer as Saginaw Valley took a 1-0 lead. 

The Cougars took the momentum at the start of the second frame and eventually grabbed a three-point cushion at 18-15 with another kill from Shelford. However, the Cardinals responded by going on a 7-3 scoring spurt to grab a 22-21 lead and force an Azusa Pacific timeout. Unfortunately it did little to stem the Saginaw Valley momentum as they won three of the set's final four points to take a commanding lead in the match.

In the third set Azusa Pacific took the lead at the start and never relinquished that advantage in trying to get back into the match. During the stanza Shelford hit .500 with five kills while Crouse also recorded a five-kill set in trimming the Cougars deficit in half.

During the early portion of the fourth set neither team could grab the momentum until just before the midway point. After a Shelford kill made the score 14-13 in favor of the Cardinals, Saginaw Valley scored four straight points in building an 18-13 lead. None the less the Cougars fought back and brought their deficit down to 19-17 after a Haley Beetstra kill. Regrettably that would be the final point Azusa Pacific would score as they fell in four sets.

Match 2 – Azusa Pacific 3, Cal State Monterey Bay 2 (25-20, 28-30, 18-25, 25-21, 15-8)

Shelford capped off a fine day with a career high 26 kills to pace the Cougars to the win. The junior had an outstanding hitting percentage of .511 en route to her record day.

Not to be out done was Louie Jaden who record the first double-double of the season with a 41-assist, 14-dig evening. Kristina Kam was on target with her back row defense by digging up 31 balls to aid in the victory.

Joy Reinke added 14 kills while Crystal Dedes chipped-in a vital 10-kill effort.

The Cougars opened the match in fine form as they raced out to an 8-3 lead and never looked back. Monterey Bay tried to rally but couldn't get closer than three points as Azusa Pacific took the opening set in commanding fashion 25-20.

Azusa Pacific looked to be in good shape as the raced out to another 8-3 advantage in the second frame but this time the Otters responded. In methodical fashion Monterey Bay chipped away at their disadvantage and eventually took a 21-20 lead. The final points of the frame were nip-and-tuck as the Cougars had two chances to take the set but couldn't. Monterey Bay clinched the set when a Katy Crouse attacked was blocked down by the duo of Victoria Clardy and Kelsey Johnson.

Both teams were looking for that much desired 2-1 lead in the match at the start of the third set. The Otters grabbed that momentum with a big scoring run. With the stanza knotted at 11-11, Monterey Bay went on a decisive 7-2 scoring spurt to strengthen their grasp on the set. Azusa Pacific couldn't drawn any closer than four points the rest of the set.

Facing defeat in the fourth set the Cougars rallied with a 25-21 victory. After trading the opening points, Azusa Pacific took control and never trailed after taking an 8-7 lead. 

The decisive set started in Azusa Pacific's favor as they rolled to an 8-2 edge. There would be no comeback for the Otters in this set as the Cougars kept their lead of at least four points as they cruised to the final set victory. Appropriately enough Shelford had the match clinching kill.