AZUSA, Calif. – In a match-up of the two top teams in the PacWest the crowd was treated to an entertaining match.
California Baptist rallied from an early deficit to top Azusa Pacific 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-13, 26-24) on Saturday afternoon.
The setback for the Cougars is their first home loss of the season in eight matches as they fall to 18-5 overall and 11-4 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cougars raced out to a first-set lead and never relented in taking the opening frame. Azusa Pacific's offense clicked well as they hit .333 as a team while the visitors from Riverside notched a .194 mark.
The script flipped offensively in the second set as the Lancers posted a .351 hitting percentage while Azusa Pacific posted a .100 hitting mark. California Baptist continued their momentum into the third set. They raced out to a big lead just before the set's halfway mark and never looked back. The Lancers offense hit .303 compared to a .028 hitting percentage from the Cougars.
A back-and-forth thriller ensued in the fourth set. The Cougars held the lead until the midway point. Azusa Pacific held a 16-15 edge after a Natalie Klapp kill but California Baptist scored two straight and never gave the lead back. Azusa Pacific tied the score eight times as the squad's traded points. The Lancers ultimately got the win on their second set point on a Lauren Hackett kill.
QUOTEABLE: "California Baptist is a really good team. I am proud of our effort today and believe we got a little bit better and closer to our ability," said head coach Chris Keife. "We just need to sustain a higher level of play for longer periods."
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Natalie Klapp had a team high 15 kills while recording her fifth double-double of the season with 13 digs
- Madison Ogas rounded out the double figure kill producers for the Cougars with 14
- Kaylen Higa also had a double-double with a 23-assist, 11-dig effort
- Danika Young chipped in 16 assists and 10 digs
PACWEST IMPLICATIONS: With the win the Lancers (24-0, 16-0 PacWest) are assured of at least a tie for the PacWest title. The Cougars will remain in second place.
NATIONALLY RANKED: With the setback against the third-ranked Lancers, the Cougars are now 4-6 all-time against ranked foes since joining the NCAA ranks during the 2013 season.
UP NEXT: Azusa Pacific has a quick moment to catch their breath as they host Hawai'i Pacific on Monday evening at 6 p.m.
