HILO, Hawaii – A thoroughly impressive way to start a three-match in three-day swing through Hawaii.
Azusa Pacific performed well in each aspect in helping them to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-21) victory against Hawaii Hilo.
"The last time we won here was three years go. They are good team but we served really well and we passed well as well. Plus our hitters were efficient. It's a good way to start this stretch of matches," said head coach Chris Keife.
As a team they Cougars pieced together a .320 hitting percentage. Natalie Klapp and Mattie Shelford each had 10 kills to pace the hitting efforts. Klapp also chipped in a 10-dig effort for her third double-double of the season. Not overlooked offensive was presences of Joy Reinke (eight kills, .316 hitting percentage) and Ally Gonzalez (seven kills, .333).
"Natalie has stepped into the fire and tonight she passed and serve and is performing well in critical situations. She is no longer playing like a freshman," Keife said. "Our outside hitters were they effective when they had opportunity and made wise choices. They made good plays from what the setters provided them."
The back row defense provided the Cougar setters with solid ball to distribute led by Ashley Swatek's 18 digs. Alyssa Tavera and Jaden Louie handed out 21 and 15 assists respectively.
In the opening frame the Cougars grabbed control early by racing out to a 4-0 lead. They built that to as large as seven points while never letting the Vulcans closer than four. Strong all-around play led the Cougars to a .359 hitting percentage in the opening set win. Mattie Shelford had five kills and a .444 hitting mark while Joy Reinke tallied four and .571 respectively.
Hawaii Hilo turned the early set momentum on its head as they jumped out to a 6-3 lead and forced the Cougars to call their first timeout of the match. The quick stoppage worked as Cougar took the lead at 8-7 and extended it to 13-9 moments later. Hawaii Hilo never recovered after the timeout as they couldn't get their deficit beneath three points as the Cougars took a commanding lead.
A nip-and-tuck third frame ensued. Azusa Pacific grabbed the lead for good after a Vulcans attack error gave the Cougars a 15-14 edge. An Ally Gonzalez kill gave her team a 21-16 lead. Hawaii Hilo never got their deficit under three point as the Cougars won their second all-time match in seven trips to the Big Island.
The Cougars continue their road trip tomorrow with a 7 p.m. match tomorrow against Chaminade.
