LA MIRADA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific jumped out to a two-set lead in the opening installment of 2018-19 Cornerstone Cup competition, but Biola roared back in front of a rowdy home crowd to win three straight sets to complete the come-from-behind win over the Pacific West Conference-leading Cougars, 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-7).
In the opening set, Azusa Pacific and Biola were neck-and-neck, with the scored tied at 8-8 to start. However, the Cougars took six out of the next seven points for a 14-9 lead, and the closest Biola got after that was three points. Azusa Pacific stretched the lead back to six before ultimately taking the set.
The Cougars started fast in the second set, taking a 5-1 lead. Biola battled back, trimming the lead to 10-9, and neither team could seize momentum as the sides reached a 20-20 deadlock. Following two straight points from Biola, Azusa Pacific trailed 22-20, but kills by junior Aliyah Morrison and freshman Katarina Radisic brought the score even at 22-22. Biola took the next point, and a 23-22 lead, when senior Natalie Klapp and Morrison recorded consecutive kills, giving the advantage back to the Cougars. Miller secured the second set with a service ace, giving the Cougars what seemed to be a commanding two-set lead.
To start the third set, Azusa Pacific jumped out to an early lead at 3-0. The Cougars seemed to control the set, maintaining a three to four point cushion. However, with the score at 17-13 Azusa Pacific advantage, Biola took four straight points, tying the set at 17-17. Biola pulled away from the Cougars with the score at 20-20, when they scored three straight points, giving them a 23-20 lead and eventual four-point set win to stay alive in the match.
Biola maintained that momentum with three straight points to open the fourth set, and the Eagles never relinquished the lead in a 25-18 win which forced a fifth set.
In the final set, after battling to a 7-7 tie, Biola reeled off eight straight points to finish off the Cougars, 15-7, and claim the first win of the 2018-19 Cornerstone Cup rivalry competition presented by West Coast Sand & Gravel.
Azusa Pacific was led by Radisic and Morrison, who had 17 and 14 kills respectively. Senior Kaylen Higa posted 26 assists. Sophomore Amy Hinnant had a team-high four blocks, and sophomore libero Sophia Newhouse had 16 digs to lead the Cougars. Natalie Klapp and Higa both recorded 15 digs.
The loss was the Cougars' first PacWest defeat, and it ended Azusa Pacific's nine-match win streak. Following three straight road contests, the Cougars return home to the Felix Event Center to take on PacWest opponent Fresno Pacific on Friday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m.
