Azusa Pacific fell by a 3-0 final (25-16, 25-15, 25-15) to Simon Fraser in the Cougars' 2021 season opener at the Seaside Invitational (hosted by Point Loma) in San Diego. 

Three Cougars shared a team-high five kills in the match (Abby Hills, Annaka Jorgenson, Delaney Dunham). Mina Andjelkovic and Maggie Nielsen had nine assists a piece, while Hills (four total blocks) and Bailey Henington (eight digs) led the Cougars defensively. 

In the first set, Azusa Pacific was able to jump out to an early 5-3 advantage, but Simon Fraser would go on a 10-2 run to grab a comfortable 13-7 advantage. The Cougars were unable to cut the deficit to anything smaller than five points for the remainder of the set, and with the score at 20-15, Simon Fraser took five of the next six points to seize an early 1-0 match lead.

Simon Fraser carried the momentum into the second frame, surging ahead to an 8-2 margin. Trailing 12-4, the Cougars were able to take five of the next seven points to make it 14-9, however, Simon Fraser would score three unanswered points and push its cushion up to 17-9. With a second set final score of 25-15, Simon Fraser entered the third with a commanding 2-0 match advantage.

To start the third set, Simon Fraser went ahead 6-1. The Cougars showed signs of life, clawing their way to an eventual 9-7 deficit. As was the case throughout the match, Simon Fraser would not break, as it used a 10-2 run to grab the 17-11 lead. Still in the lead at 18-13, Simon Fraser rattled off five unanswered for a 23-13 score. Simon Fraser took the final set with a final tally of 25-15, and it handed the Cougars a loss in the season opener.

By the Numbers: Simon Fraser finished with 42 kills and a hitting percentage of .284, while the Cougars had 23 kills with a hitting percentage of just .058. In the service game, Simon Fraser had four aces while Azusa Pacific was unable to record one. Defensively, Simon Fraser posted seven total blocks and 48 digs, compared to six total blocks and 31 digs for the Cougars.

Up Next: The Cougars (0-1) will be right back in action at the Seaside Invitational tomorrow with a pair of matches, beginning with Regis at 12:00 pm, followed by a dual with Cal State Los Angeles at 7:30 pm. To watch both games, click here.