AZUSA, Calif. – As the season is hitting its stretch run, the Cougars look to be hitting their stride at the right time.
Since hitting a rough patch during a four-match stretch earlier this month, Azusa Pacific looks to have righted the ship by winning their second straight.
On Saturday afternoon they top Fresno Pacific 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 22-25, 25-14) to improve their record to 17-4 overall and 10-3 in PacWest matches.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Aside from a semi-sluggish third set the Cougars showed why they are one of the best teams in the conference. Except for the early stages of the first set, Azusa Pacific led throughout. In the second and fourth frames, they never trailed.
The offense was led by a trio of players who posted double figure kill efforts. Julianne Miller had a match high 16 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. Natalie Klapp had one of her better matches of late as she notched a double-double (13 kills, 15 digs). Madison Ogas chipped in 10 kills from her outside hitter slot.
Danika Young chipped in her third double-double of the campaign. The junior dished out 16 assists while tallying 15 digs.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Bailey Henington led the team with 16 digs as the Cougars notched 88 in the contest
- Sara Wagenveld was effective at her middle hitter spot with nine kills and a .381 hitting percentage
- Azusa Pacific hit .275 as a team while the Sunbirds tallied a .151 percentage
POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS: On Wednesday the first of four regional rankings is released. The top eight teams in the west region, which is comprised of the CCAA, GNCA and PacWest, qualify for the NCAA postseason. The final release is the Monday after the regular season is finished (Nov. 21).
UP NEXT: The Cougars continue their season long five-match homestand on Friday when they welcome Dominican for a 6 p.m. contest.
