SEATTLE, Wash. – During the final day of the PacWest/GNAC volleyball challenge, Azusa Pacific looked to complete a successful four-match trip to the Emerald City.
They were the first match on the court on Saturday morning vs. Alaska Fairbanks before concluded their slate with a late afternoon tilt against Simon Fraser. The weekend also concludes a stretch in which the Cougars have traveled nearly 5,000 plane miles in three weeks.
Saturday Match 1 – Azusa Pacific 3, Alaska Fairbanks 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16)
In her most productive match at the setter position, freshman Jewels Travera handed out a match high 31 assists while directing the Cougars to a .336 team hitting percentage in the win.
Box Score
Mattie Shelford had a match best 14 kills and notched a .458 hitting percentage. Ashley Midland attack was even more on point as the middle blocker hit .647 with 12 kills. Midland was also stout defensively along the net as she had a match high five block assists.
The back line defense was anchored down by Ashley Swatek (12 digs) and Katy Crouse (10 digs).
During the first two sets the Cougars were rolling right along. In the opening frame the Cougars took a 14-13 lead and cruised to the first set win by scoring 11 of the final 13 points. Similarly in the second set, Azusa Pacific took a 13-12 edge and proceeded to score six of the next seven finals points to grab complete control of the match.
Despite dropping a tightly played third set in which the Nanooks scored four of the final five points to seal the stanza, Azusa Pacific was undaunted in the fourth set. The Cougars raced out to a 13-6 lead and never Alaska Fairbanks within five points down the stretch.
Saturday Match 2 – Azusa Pacific 3, Simon Fraser 0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-17)
The Cougars completed a perfect three-day stretch at the GNAC/PacWest Challenge as they defeat the Clan in straight sets.
Ally Gonzalez was on point for Azusa Pacific as the sophomore had a team high 13 kills. Katy Crouse chipped-in eight kills while Mattie Shelford recorded a seven-kill effort.
Box Score
Jaden Louie had a solid evening as the setter distributed 21 assists. Ashley Swatek concluded her excellent event with 13 digs along the backlines.
Aside from a back-and-forth second set the Cougars were dominate in the victory. The Cougars rallied from a 19-16 deficit in the frame before securing after saving one Simon Fraser set point then getting the set on their second set point.
There were only two undefeated teams in the eight-team challenge. Along with Azusa Pacific, the Lancers of California Baptist also went undefeated. Those two teams will face each other next week in Azusa to start PacWest Conference play.
