AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific head coach Chris Keife won his 400th match on Wednesday evening, following Azusa Pacific's straight set sweep (25-12, 25-19, 26-24) of Hawai'i Pacific. 

Through 18 seasons at Azusa Pacific, Coach Keife has led the Cougars to 13 postseason appearances, two conference titles, and 16 winning seasons. He holds a career record of 400-187 (.681), which makes him the program's all-time wins leader. Keife was a five-time Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2005-09) during Azusa Pacific's NAIA days, and he was the PacWest Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.

How It Happened:  Azusa Pacific spread the attack all around the roster, with ten different Cougars recording a kill in the contest, including double-doubles from both Annaka Jorgenson and Katarina Radisic. 

The match started quickly, with setter Aubrea Banfield serving up three of her five aces in the first four points of the match.  The Cougars would continue to slowly pull away in the set, hitting .435 in the frame and building a lead of double digits as early as 14-4 before closing out the set with four consecutive points.  Radisic had five kills in the first set to lead the attack early, while freshman libero Hailey Patino served up a fifth ace of the set for the final point.

In the second set, it was Jorgenson's turn to shine.  The junior came through with seven kills in the set while the defense came up with three blocks and helped hold the Sharks to a hitting percentage of .060 through the first two sets.  Hawai'i Pacific jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the set and it was closer, but Azusa Pacific responded with a 6-1 run and never trailed again, coming up with 14 kills in the set to pull it out, 25-19.

The third set saw Hawai'i Pacific take an early advantage with a 6-1 run of their own as the Cougars allowed the bench to get some valuable experience.  The Sharks would put together another 6-0 run and would serve for the set at 24-21, but the Cougars got a sideout to send Radisic to the service spot, and the senior would serve out the final four points of the match, including the team's eighth ace of the evening on the penultimate point, allowing the team to finish off the sweep.

Inside the Numbers:  Jorgenson led the team with 15 kills while adding 10 digs.  Radisic had 11 kills and 10 digs herself, while Patino had a team-high 15 digs.  Lindsi Hawkins had a career-best five kills, all coming in the third set.  Kyra Palmbush had a hand in three of Azusa Pacific's four blocks in the contest.  All eight victories the Cougars have recorded this season have come in straight sets. 

Up Next:  The Cougars (8-7, 4-2 PacWest) will conclude this three-game Hawaiian homestand on Saturday when they host PacWest leader Chaminade (10-6, 5-0 PacWest).  First serve in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., and can be streamed HERE if you are unable to attend in person.