AZUSA, Calif. – It was worth the wait.
It had been nearly 2,000 days since Azusa Pacific and Biola competed in a meaningful volleyball match. On Friday evening the two tangled in a contest that rekindled the rivalry in such a way that begged the energetic crowd wanting for more.
The Cougars rallied from a 1-2 deficit to post a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16, 15-8) win against Biola in the first installment of the new – yet old – rivalry now named the Cornerstone Cup.
The squads traded blows all night long before Azusa Pacific sent their hometown crowd back to their residents happy as they upped their record to 10-1 overall and 3-0 in PacWest contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED – In the opening set the Eagles grabbed an early lead and eventually grew it to five points before holding off a late Cougar rally. The second frame was all Azusa Pacific as they posted a .349 hitting percentage to even the contest.
The Cougars jumped out to a quick 13-9 lead but couldn't carry the early momentum to a third set win. Biola scored nine of the next 10 points and, while the Cougars pulled within 19-18, the Eagles did enough down the stretch to stave off Azusa Pacific. Trailing 8-5 in the fourth stanza, the Cougars went on a tear down the stretch. They scored eight of the next nine points and never looked back in sending the match into the pivotal final set.
In the final set the Cougars recorded seven of their 13 blocks for the match. Four of the last five points the Cougars claimed, came via the block. The last stanza was tied 8-8 before the Azusa Pacific front lines controlled the final points.
QUOTEABLE
LOOKING AT THE BOXSCORE
- Madison Ogas had a match high 20 kills on 52 attempts
- Natalie Klapp recorded a double-double with 16 kills and 17 digs
- Bailey Henington notched a match best 23 digs from her libero position
UP NEXT: The Cougars host preseason PacWest favorite Concordia on Saturday at 3 p.m.
BIOLA AND THE NCAA – The Eagles are in their second year of a three-year transition process from NAIA to NCAA Division II. They are participating in a full PacWest schedule this season and become fully eligible for the NCAA post-season during the 2019-20 school year.
