SAN FRANCISCO – The Artists had just enough tools in their kit to paint their way to a victory.
The back-and-fourth contest saw Academy of Art put together enough scoring spurts to post the 3-2 (25-23, 27-29, 25-22, 19-25, 15-6) win on Friday.
For the fifth time this season the Cougars competed in a five-set affair. Unfortunately for Azusa Pacific they have posted one win in those matches.
In defeat Madison Ogas had a team high 14 kills to pace the Cougars. She also produced 16 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Julianne Miller (14) and Ashley Midland (10) also recorded double figure kills in the contest.
The Cougars initial play left much to be desired as they fell behind 12-8 in the opening set and slowly fought back to pull within 24-23 but couldn't fight off the Academy of Art set point.
A big rally in the second set turned the match's tide into the Cougars favor. Azusa Pacific lost the first five points of the frame and eventually fell behind 13-3. However, they methodically fought back with the final rally coming late. Down 23-20, the Cougars (4-7, 0-2 PacWest) won four straight points to earn their first set point. Academy of Art never had a set point and the Cougars eventually tied the match at a set each on their fifth opportunity.
Azusa Pacific looked have momentum on their side as they jumped out to a 10-5 lead to start the third set. However, the Urban Knights (3-8, 1-1) responded with a rally of their own to, once again, switch the match's momentum. When the home team took a 16-15 lead, they never let the Cougars have the lead again.
Needing to win the fourth stanza to stay alive, Azusa Pacific broke open the set at the midway point. Already winning 12-10, the Cougars won five straight and eight of the next nine points en route to winning the frame.
In the final set Academy of Art rattled the final nine points of the match to secure the victory in the nearly two-and-half hour match.
Azusa Pacific looks to rebound in the final road match of a 12 road match swing to start the season when they go to Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday.
