AZUSA, Calif. – Facing a two-sets-to-one deficit in their conference opener, the Azusa Pacific volleyball team fought back to beat Concordia, three sets to two, Thursday evening at the Felix Event Center.  Annaka Jorgenson had a game-high 19 kills to lead the Cougars offensively.

How It Happened:  The Cougars took advantage of six service errors by Concordia to win a close first set, 25-22.  Azusa Pacific had a stellar .310 hitting percentage in that opening frame, amassing 11 kills against just two errors.  The second set was marked by a series of runs, with each team taking turns winning three or four points in a row, and the Cougars had a chance to take a two-set lead before Concordia won the final three points of the set to level the match.  The third set saw Concordia come back from an early 4-0 deficit, the Cougars rally themselves to even the set at 17-17, then the Eagles closed the set on an 8-3 run to take a 2-1 lead on the night.

Turning Point:  In the fourth set, Concordia would lead by as many as six points on three different occasions, and still had a 23-19 lead when freshman Selena Balderas stepped in to serve.  The Cougars ran off five points, including three consecutive Eagle errors, to take a set point.  The Cougars would deny a match point for Concordia, finally taking the set 27-25 on a Jorgenson kill.  The Cougars would again rally from a deficit in the fifth set, taking control of the match with a 9-2 run that included four blocks to put the game away.

By the Numbers:  Jorgenson was the only Cougar in double figures in kills, but the team stepped up defensively.  Abby Hills had nine kills and two solo blocks.  Mina Andjelkovic had 18 digs, one of five Cougars who reached double figures in that category.  Maggie Nielsen dished out 29 assists and served up four of the team's seven aces.  The five-set rally kept alive the team's home winning streak.  The Cougars have won 23 consecutive matches in the Felix Event Center, and 25 straight PacWest games in a streak that dates back to November of 2017.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (2-0, 1-1 PacWest Southern California pod) will have a short turnaround as they make the short trip over to San Dimas Friday afternoon to take on Life Pacific, a recent addition to the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference, which the Cougars called home from 1986-2012.  The non-conference matchup will start at 5:00 p.m. and can be streamed live here.