Los Angeles, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific split the opening day of the West Region Showcase, recording a five-set victory over Central Washington to open the day, before falling in three straight sets to host Cal State L.A.  

Game 1: Azusa Pacific 3, Central Washington 2 (17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13)
Central Washington jumped out to an early lead, as the Wildcats took the first set of the match. However, Azusa Pacific turned the heat up late in the second set when it trailed 22-21, as the Cougars rattled off four straight points that was capped off by a kill from freshman Annaka Jorgenson (assisted by Sara Wagenveld) to take the second set. The Cougars maintained momentum heading into the third set which ultimately lead to a victory from a set-point block by Jorgenson and Julianne Miller. The Wildcats, however, responded late in the fourth set with a 6-0 run that forced a fifth and final set. 

In a nail biting fifth set, the Cougars jumped out to an 8-5 lead before the two teams switched sides on the court. Coming out of the switch, Azusa Pacific went on a 4-2 run before the Wildcats rallied back and cut the lead down to 14-13. Wagenveld closed out the match with a kill to seal the 3-2 match victory for Azusa Pacific. 

Game 2: Azusa Pacific 0, Cal State LA 3 (18-25, 22-25, 19-25)

Heading into the second match of the day for the Cougars, the first set was back-and-forth with neither team taking a lead larger than three points for the majority of the set. It was not until Cal State L.A. went on a 6-1 run over the Cougars late in the set. Azusa Pacific was never able to recover as the Golden Eagles snagged the first set victory 25-18.

The second started off as a mirror image of the first as both teams battled back and forth early on. The Golden Eagles once again went on a 6-1 run to create a comfortable lead. After getting down 22-14, Azusa Pacific put together a run and closed the deficit down to 23-22. However, the Golden Eagles answered with back-to-back blocks to give pull out the victory.   

Azusa Pacific never made it easy for the Golden Eagles as it lead midway through the third set 13-12. Cal State L.A. pulled away after a three point run and never lost their lead as it finished with a 25-19 set win to seal the 3-0 victory over the Cougars. 

What's Next: 
Azusa Pacific has two games remaining in the West Region Showcase tomorrow, as it will take on Alaska for a 2:30 p.m. matchup before meeting with Cal State East Bay at 7:30 p.m.