AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars rebounded from an early setback to post a 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21) victory against Dominican on Friday evening.
The PacWest win lifts Azusa Pacific record to 9-9 overall and 5-4 in league matches while the Penguins fall to 5-9 and 2-6 respectively.
"Dominican has always played well against us. They always make us earn our point. They made us grind out our point and I give credit them for serving well and defending. I am really proud of our girls for battling through that," head coach Chris Keife said. "I like our effort and resiliency. I thought we played well in sets two and three and most of four. I'm pleased with how we battled but this match showed us things we need to work on as well."
Leading the way for the Cougars was Mattie Shelford's 16-kill, five-block (1 BS, 4 BA) effort. Ashley Midland also got into the action with 13 kills, two block solos and a block assist. Ally Gonzalez chipped in a 12-kill evening.
Along the back line Ashley Swatek had 27 digs while outside hitter Natalie Klapp notched a 25-dig performance.
For the Penguins Aimee Steinwand had a team best 16 kills on 63 attempts.
Dominican was able to gain a 16-13 edge and force a Cougars timeout. During those first 29 points Azusa Pacific was its own worst enemy as their attack percentage was in the negative numbers. Dominican grew their lead to 21-15 but the Cougars began to chip away and were down just 22-21 after a Crystal Dede solo block forced a Penguins timeout. Even though Azusa Pacific tied the stanza on the point, Dominican closed the set on a three-point spurt to claim the matches early lead.
After the Penguins held an early 5-2 edge, Azusa Pacific quickly erased their deficit and the teams traded side outs until the home team took a 16-14 lead. The Cougars nudged their lead to 23-19 after a Penguins service error which forced Dominican into their final timeout. Azusa Pacific clinced the set on their second opportunity with an Ashley Midland kill.
The Cougars looked to get some breathing room in the third set and after a Mattie Shelford block solo they went up 14-11. Dominican stopped the momentum briefly with a timeout but Azusa Pacific kept things rolling and after a block assist from Shelford and Dedes then a kill from Natalie Klapp they went ahead 21-16. Azusa Pacific sealed the 2-1 lead in the match, and the third set, on back-to-back kills from Joy Reinke.
Azusa Pacific left little doubt in the fourth set who was the best team as they raced out to an 11-3 lead. During that opening stretch they held the Penguins to a -.222 hitting mark while Shelford had three kills and two block assists by herself. The Penguins were able to dwindle away at their deficit and after consecutive services aces by Amanda Lee they were trailing 19-13. Dominican chipped away still and got within 23-20 but three points was a close as they could come. The Cougars sealed the win on a Shelford kill.
The Cougars will get on a plane for their annual trip to Hawaii as they continue league play with three matches on the Islands.
