DENVER, Colo. - Azusa Pacific fell by a 3-1 score to #18 Lewis in the finale of the Premier Challenge, and the Cougars closed the tournament out as the second place team in the Bronze bracket.
Annaka Jorgenson had 14 kills and 14 blocks, and Katarina Radisic added 13 kills to join Jorgenson in double figures. Maggie Nielsen finished with 19 assists and a pair of service aces, while Aubrea Banfield tallied 18 assists and 13 digs. Delaney Dunham recorded four block assists at the net in the match.
How It Happened: It was Azusa Pacific that would take the early lead in the match, after the Cougars won the first set 25-19. With the teams tied at 6-6, the Cougars scored four unanswered to snag a 10-6 lead. Azusa Pacific would remain in the lead for the remainder of the set, including a largest lead of seven, at 19-12. While Lewis would attempt to make a late run that made it 19-16, the Cougars would allow the Flyers no closer than three, and Azusa Pacific would close out the set by winning six of the final nine points.
Up 22-20 late in the second set, Azusa Pacific was in position to grab a 2-0 match lead. However, the Flyers would roar back with four straight points to grab set point at 24-22, and they would ultimately level the match score with a 25-23 set win.
The third set proved to be the turning point in the match. Early in the set, it looked as if Lewis would cruise to a quick and easy 2-1 match lead, as the Flyers held leads of 15-8, 18-11 and 22-15. With the score 22-15, a Jorgenson kill started a 4-0 run for the Cougars, drawing Azusa Pacific within three at 22-19. A few points later, Lewis was able to force set point at 24-21, but the Cougars battled back with kills from Radisic and Kyra Palmbush, as well as a Flyers service error to knot the score at 24-24. Over the next few minutes of action, the Cougars would serve five set points, but the Flyers would fight back each time. Lewis would eventually emerge with the set win, as the Cougars served set point at 31-30, but the Flyers would score three unanswered to win 33-31.
The fourth set saw Lewis take a quick 7-2 advantage, and the Flyers maintained a lead of four or more for the rest of the match. Lewis sealed the victory with a 25-15 set win.
By The Numbers: The Cougars struggled offensively, committing a season-most 29 attack errors, and their final hitting percentage of 12% is the second-lowest of the season. At the net, Azusa Pacific had seven total blocks, which is the most by the Cougars this season.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific (4-4) will now prepare for the first round of the Cornerstone Cup Rivalry this season, as the Cougars will head to rival Biola on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 pm. The match will also be the Cougars' first PacWest match of the season.
