ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Cougars closed out their four-match swing at the SpringHill Suites Invitational with a 3-0 setback (25-17, 25-20, 25-18) to Rockhurst on Saturday morning.

The 23rd ranked Hawks offense was clicking well in route to their win. As a team Rockhurst outhit Azusa Pacific .258-.105 while doubling the Cougars block total (10-5). A brief power outage during the final half of the match didn't stop Rockhurst's momentum. The Cougars were also something of their own worst enemy as they committed 24 attack errors.

During the first two sets the teams had a hard time getting separation on the scoreboard for one another until just past the midway point in each frame. In the opening set with the scoreboard reading 16-16, Rockhurst scored five straight points and road that energy to a 1-0 lead in the match. Similarly in the second set, the Hawks grew a 13-12 lead to 23-15 as they took complete control of the match.

A .364 hitting percentage for Rockhurst helped them methodically pull away from the Cougars in the final set.

Everyone who suited up for the Cougars saw playing time. The trio of Ashley Midland, Mattie Shelford and Natalie Klapp each had a team best seven kills. Klapp had a Cougar best .333 hitting mark in two sets.

Katy Crouse chipped in a six-kills, 12-dig performance.

Azusa Pacific will look to regroup quickly as they get back on a plane late next week and fly to Seattle Pacific for the GNAC/PacWest Crossover Challenge. The Cougars will, once again, play four matches in a three-day stretch.