SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific opened up the 2019 season with back to back victories against Western New Mexico (3-0), and Eastern New Mexico (3-1) on day one of the Cougar Classic, hosted by Cal State San Marcos. 
 
Game One: Azusa Pacific 3, Western New Mexico 0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-19)

A pair of newcomers to the Cougar program played a vital role in the late morning three-set sweep over the Mustangs. Freshman Annaka Jorgenson led Azusa Pacific with fourteen kills while recording a hitting percentage of .400 on the match. Junior Mina Andjelkovic, who transferred from Long Beach State this past offseason, posted a team high 30 assists for the Cougars. Katarina Radisic and Julianne Miller also had solid performances for Azusa Pacific, as Radisic finished with eight kills and Miler recorded seven. Senior Bailey Henington, who missed all of last season with an injury, made an immediate impact in her return to the team with 21 digs. 

In the first set, the two teams were locked in a back and forth affair, before the Cougars went on a 9-1 run to push the lead to 23-18. The Mustangs answered with three straight points, but back to back kills from Miller and Jorgenson sealed the first set for the Cougars with a 25-21 victory. 

The Cougars jumped out quickly in the second set, taking an early 10-3 lead and never looked back as they matched their twelve-point margin of victory without ever trailing. They would go behind 2-1 early in the third, but with four straight kills by Jorgenson, the Cougars jumped out to a 6-5 lead over the Mustangs. Western New Mexico hung around throughout most of the final set before APU closed the door with a kill by Radisic.  

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 3, Eastern New Mexico 1 (25-12, 25-10, 21-25, 25-21)

The Cougars claimed the first two sets by a combined 28-point margin before losing a hard fought third set to the Greyhounds. Azusa Pacific came back and won the fourth set 25-21 to seal the victory and finish off the first day of the Cougar Classic.

Azusa Pacific had three finish in double figure kills, as senior Sara Wagenveld led with 15 kills and Jorgenson trailed right behind finishing with 14. Miller also finished with 12 kills and one block. Other standouts for the Cougars included Andjelkovic, who finished with 38 assists, while Henington finished with 25 digs. 

What's Next
Azusa Pacific has two games remaining in the Cougar Classic tomorrow, as it will take on Cal State San Marcos at 11:00 a.m., followed by a meeting with Saint Martin's at 4:00 p.m.