IRVINE, Calif. – For the second time this season, Azusa Pacific battled well against former NAIA and conference foe Concordia. Sadly the result was the same for the Cougars.

Concordia posted close wins down the stretch to win a four-setter against the Cougars by scores of 25-19, 18-25, 25-23 and 25-22.

Ally Gonzalez had one of her best matches of the season to pace the Azusa Pacific offense. She recorded a match high 16 kills with a .333 hitting percentage. Natalie Klapp recorded her ninth double-double of the season with a 10-kill, 16-dig evening.

The duo of Madison Ogas and Bailey Henington each recorded a team best 18 digs.

After the home grab the early lead with a first-set win, the Cougars flipped the script with a quality second frame. After taking the early edge at 7-6, Azusa Pacific (10-13, 6-8 PacWest) never trailed the rest of the set in which they held the home team to just five kills and a zero hitting percentage.

The third set unfolded in a very different fashion from the opening two. It was nip-and-tuck throughout until Concordia nudged ahead with a three-point lead (18-15). Azusa Pacific was able to pull within a single point down the stretch six times but could never tie the score. Concordia rebounded after the tough second set with a 19-kill, .289 team hitting percentage in the stanza.

Concordia raced out to a 10-3 lead to start the fourth set; causing the Cougars to call a timeout. From that point forward Azusa Pacific made a comfortable set for the Eagles nerve-wracking. The Cougars clawed back by winning 11 of the next 16 points which caused the home team to call a timeout as their lead dwindled to just one point (15-14). Despite the comeback Azusa Pacific could never get the lead. Concordia (21-2, 12-2) did just enough down the stretch to finish the match in four sets.

Azusa Pacific returns home after a long road trip with a home match on Wednesday against Academy of Art.