CARSON, Calif. – Put a check mark in the victory column.

Azusa Pacific recorded their first win of the season with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19) win against Montana State Billings on Thursday evening at the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase.

The six-team, four-match format for the event is being hosted by Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Despite dropping the first set, the Cougars responded with some vengeance and inspired play during the final three sets. Azusa Pacific raced out to solid leads in the second and third sets but were challenged in the fourth. With the score tied at 19-19, the Cougars concluded the stanza with six straight points and clinched the win on an Ally Gonzalez kill.

During the Cougars sweep of the final three sets, as a team they posted hitting percentages of .333, .300 and .281 while holding the Yellow Jackets in check. During a 25-15 second frame victory, Azusa Pacific limited the opposition to a -.069 hitting mark.  Montana State Billings hit .424 in their first set win.

Gonzalez led the Azusa Pacific attack with a 13-kill evening with a .450 hitting percentage. Aliyah Morrison posted a career high 12-kills in her fifth career collegiate match. The middle hitting duo of Ashley Midland and Julianne Miller each had seven kills while combining for nine block assists.

The duo of Bailey Henington and Madison Ogas has 12 and 11 digs respectively to aid in the Cougars defensive efforts. Azusa Pacific's offense was directed by Danika Young (22 assists) and Shaylah Kagehiro (16).

On Friday morning Azusa Pacific played Humboldt State at 9:30 a.m.