LA MIRADA, Calif.-- Azusa Pacific made history in the Cornerstone Cup Rivalry Series after earning five points and claiming a 3-1 victory on the road against Biola. Since joining the Pacific West Conference, the Cougars are the first team to claim the first ever road victory in the series. With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 21-4 overall and 15-2 in conference play, while Biola drops 13-11 on the season and 10-6 in PacWest play. With the five points, Azusa Pacific now leads 30-20 over Biola in the Cup Standings.
Freshman Annaka Jorgenson led the Cougars with a match-high 18 kills, which included seven kills in the third-set 25-13 win. Senior Aliyah Morrison trailed right behind and recorded 12 kills, four blocks, and three digs. Other Cougars to finish in double figures were Julianne Miller and Katarina Radisic, who each had 10 kills. Senior Bailey Henington recorded 24 digs while Mina Andjelkovic collected 29 assists over their four sets of action.
How It Happened:
Azusa Pacific got off to a slow start as both teams exchanged points early on. With the score tied at 14-14, a Morrison kill followed by two errors from the Eagles gave the Cougars their largest lead of the set. Holding the Cougars to a .135 hitting percentage, Biola rallied back with a 10-2 run and cruised its way to a 25-20 first set victory.
Early in the second frame, three straight kills from Morrison helped Azusa Pacific jump out to an early 12-2 lead. The Eagles never recovered as four straight errors extend the Cougars lead 23-7. The Eagles attempted to close in the score with three straight points, but a late kill by Miller secured the second set with a 25-10 victory for the Cougars.
Azusa Pacific kept that same energy heading into the third set, with a with a kill from Miller before Jorgenson followed behind with two more herself to help send the Cougars to an early 7-2 lead. The Eagles were never able to recover as the Cougars led for all of the remaining set with a consistent ten-point lead. Azusa Pacific grabbed a 2-0 match lead when Jorgenson closed out the set with a kill.
Back-to-back kills from Miller helped send the Cougars into the final frame with a 3-0 lead. Biola rallied back with three straight points to even up the score, but Azusa Pacific answered with a 6-0 run to extend its lead 9-3. The Cougars held a consistent lead throughout the frame until Biola attempted to make one last rally at match point. The Eagles went on a 5-0 run to close out the score 24-20, but a kill by Radisic (assisted by Marissa Price) secured the win for Azusa Pacific.
What's Next:
The Cougars will close out the regular season with five consecutive PacWest home games. Up first for Azusa Pacific is Chaminade. The two teams will meet on Monday, Nov. 11 at 6:00 p.m in the Felix Event Center.
