AZUSA, Calif. – For the first time in five seasons, the Azusa Pacific reeled off four straight wins to start the season after stopping Simon Fraser 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-29) on Saturday evening in their final match of the Seaside Invitational.
In getting to 4-0, the Cougars won three of those matches in straight sets. The Cougars beat a pair of in-region teams as the won twice against the California Collegiate Athletic Association (UC San Diego, Cal State L.A.) and Great Northwest Athletic Conference (Alaska Anchorage, Simon Fraser)
Azusa Pacific travels to another interregional event next weekend when they travel to Central Washington for the West Region Crossover.
SET-BY-SET
In the opening the set Cougars flipped a 7-3 deficit into a 13-7 lead. However, Simon Fraser wasn't going to go quietly as they rallied and eventually took the lead 21-20. None the less, Azusa Pacific battled back and claimed the frame on their second set point on a Natalie Klapp kill.
Azusa Pacific used a strong offensive attack to eek out a 2-0 lead in the match. The Cougars hit .286 as a team and fought back from a late 20-19 deficit in taking command of the contest.
The Cougars took the lead for good in the final set after a Simon Fraser attack error handed Azusa Pacific a 9-8 edge. Azusa Pacific went ahead as many as seven points (19-12) as they cruised down the stretch in beating a school that qualified for the NCAA postseason in 2016.
QUOTEABLE
"I think we held ourselves together in tight critical moments," head coach Chris Keife said of the weekend. "In the past we just crumbled under those moments and we stepped it up in those tight stressful situations."
KLAPP MVP, WAGENVELD HONORED
Natalie Klapp played arguably her best match of the weekend against the Clan with a 12-kill, .360-hitting percentage performance. During the four-match set she totaled 39 kills, 36 digs and contributed a pair of service aces en route to being named the Seaside Invitational MVP.
"She is just a good ball control player. Whether it attacking, blocking or receiving she can do it all for us. When she is on she helps our team immensely," said Keife.
Sara Wagenveld was rewarded with an all-tournament team selection. The middle blocker had 40 kills, six block solos and 20 block assists.
