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Azusa Pacific volleyball player Natalie Klapp hits the ball at the net during the Cougars' three-set sweep over Chaminade on Sept. 20, 2018, at the Felix Event Center in Azusa, Calif.
Holly Magnuson
3
Winner Azusa Pacific APU 22-6 / 18-2 PacWest
2
Chaminade CUH-VB 21-5 / 15-5 PacWest
Winner
Azusa Pacific APU
22-6 / 18-2 PacWest
3
Final
2
Chaminade CUH-VB
21-5 / 15-5 PacWest
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Azusa Pacific APU 25 25 22 24 15 (3)
Chaminade CUH-VB 20 23 25 26 9 (2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | Corey Langerveld

Volleyball Clinches NCAA Berth

Azusa Pacific defeats Chaminade in five sets to claim PacWest's automatic NCAA regionals bid

HONOLULU -- Azusa Pacific passed another crucial road test in pursuit of the program's first Pacific West Conference championship by pulling off its second consecutive five-set road win, this time fending off Chaminade (25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 24-26, 15-9) to maintain its one-game margin over second-place Biola for the PacWest lead.

Because Biola is still completing its transition to NCAA Division II active membership and is not yet eligible for NCAA postseason play, the Cougars clinched the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after collecting three victories in a challenging three-match road trip through the Hawaiian Islands.
 
Senior outside hitter Natalie Klapp recorded a career-high 23 kills and posted a blistering .512 hitting percentage to go with three blocks. On the defensive side of the net, junior middle blocker Julianne Miller had a huge match at the net, leading the Cougars with 11 blocks including four solo blocks. Junior middle blocker Sara Wagenveld also provided an imposing presence at the net, posting eight blocks. Senior setter Kaylen Higa led Azusa Pacific with 26 assists, and sophomore libero Sophia Newhouse finished with a team-high 16 digs.
 
The Cougars seemed to have a comfortable control of the match with a two-set advantage, but Chaminade would not let its PacWest title hopes fade quietly. The Silverswords battled back to claim the third and fourth sets, even rallying from an Azusa Pacific set point (24-23) with three straight points to claim a 26-24 win and force a fifth set.
 
In the final set, Azusa Pacific led from start to finish, scoring eight of the first 10 points while maintaining a lead of at least four points throughout the 15-9 victory.
 
The Cougars are now 22-6 overall and 18-2 in PacWest play with two matches remaining in the regular season. With the automatic NCAA bid in hand, Azusa Pacific's sights are set on the PacWest championship, which would be the first-ever conference title for the Cougar volleyball program. The Cougars wrap up the regular season at home, hosting Dominican  on Friday, Nov. 9, and Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, Nov. 10.
 
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