AZUSA, Calif. – After over two hours of hard fought down-to-wire points, Hawaii Pacific pulled out a 3-2 (30-28, 26-24, 25-27, 20-25, 15-6) on Wednesday evening.
Hawaii Pacific, who came into the match as the PacWest's top team, ups their record to 6-1 in league play and 11-4 overall. Azusa Pacific evens up at 3-3 and 7-7 respectively.
In the longest match of the season for the Cougars Mattie Shelford led the way with a 21-kill evening. Ashley Midland kill .450 while chipping in 10 kills with Ally Gonzalez adding 10 kills of her own.
Stepping into the starting line-up Natalie Klapp produced her first collegiate double-double with a 12-kill, 22-dig performance. Both Cougar setters – Alyssa Tavera and Jaden Louie – had 26 assists. Along the back line Ashley Swatek had 21 digs
Hawaii Pacific's Romai Recca led all players with 24 kills on a match high 63 attempts. Tenika Wentworth dished out 61 assists.
A tightly played opening frame nearly went the Cougars way but a late rally helped propel the visitors to the early lead. Azusa Pacific held a 21-17 lead only to see the Sharks respond and get the first game point at 24-23. The Cougars had set point twice but each time Hawaii Pacific fought them off before clinching the set on their fourth opportunity. During the opening set each team hit at least .300 – Hawaii Pacific (.366), Azusa Pacific (.300).
Similarly to the opening set, the second set remained tight. Azusa Pacific took an early edge but the Sharks came back and forced a home team timeout at 15-15. Hawaii Pacific brushed aside the attempt to halt their momentum as they won six of the next eight points to take a 21-17 lead. Azusa Pacific rallied and got within 23-21. Down 24-22 the Cougars fought off a handful of set points but the Sharks regrouped at 24-24 and sealed the two set lead in the match.
The repeating story line was déjà vu in the third set. The visitors held a slight edge early but the Cougars rallied before Hawaii Pacific went in front 20-18. After the Cougars tied it at 20-20, Hawaii Pacific won three straight but the Cougars rallied with four straight of their own to get a set point. However, the Sharks fought off the deficit but never got a match point as the Cougars forced a fourth set on an Ashley Midland service ace.
Azusa Pacific forced a fifth set with a late scoring spurt. Tied at 13-13, the Cougars took the lead for good on the next point and slowly nudged their lead ahead before concluding the frame on a Crystal Dedes and Midland block assist.
Hawaii Pacific raced out to an 8-1 and forced the Cougars into using both of their timeouts early in the set. For the only time all night, Azusa Pacific couldn't piece together a significant rally as the Sharks were able to thwart the home team's comeback efforts.
Azusa Pacific is right back to the courts on Friday evening as they host Chaminade at 7 p.m.
