AZUSA, Calif. – The young squad found its way through the adversity and got themselves a quality win.
Despite some early struggles the Cougars responded well to post a 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16) victory over Point Loma on Wednesday evening.
A key stat in the win was the Cougars 12.0-5.0 blocking edge as Point Loma offense struggle most of the match. The Sea Lion committed 30 attack errors. Azusa Pacific freshman Julianne Miller led the blocking efforts with six block assists and two block solos.
Offensively Madison Ogas had a match best 13 kills while recording her fifth double-double of the season with a 13-dig performance. Miller was solid on the attack as well with a 12-kill evening and a .478 hitting percentage.
Post Match Interview with Julianne Miller and Bailey Henington
Bailey Henington led the back row efforts with a team high 27 digs from the libero spot. Danika Young continued her steady effort with her sixth double-double (18 assists, 10 digs).
Neither team found a good offensive flow in the first set as each team hit under .100 as the teams combined to accumulate 20 attack errors. Neither team held a lead larger than four points the entire frame as Point Loma did just enough in the later stages to grab the opening set victory.
Midway through the second frame the Cougars (7-9, 3-4 PacWest) grabbed control to knot the match up. Miller made her presence felt as she recorded six of the Cougars 16 kills in the set. Azusa Pacific kept the Point Loma attack out of rhythm as the visitors hit just .062 in the stanza.
Point Loma nearly came back from a 24-17 deficit but the Cougars got a kill from Ogas on their eighth set back to take a commanding lead in the match. For the sophomore it was her fourth kill of the frame. During the set the Cougars recorded five team blocks to aid in the stanza win.
In the final set the Cougars made their critical run with the score knotted at 12-12. Azusa Pacific proceeded to score nine of the next 11 points to grab control the frame. Point Loma (5-10, 3-3) had no answer for the home team as Azusa Pacific halted a seven match losing streak to Point Loma. During that final frame, the Cougars offense found their stride as they hit .457 as a team.
With the win the Cougars end a four-match homestand and will travel to Dixie State on Saturday.
