SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Azusa Pacific won its fifth consecutive match on Friday afternoon, defeating host Academy of Art in four sets (25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19). With the victory, the Cougars improved to 12-8 overall and 9-3 in PacWest play. 

Kyra Palmbush finished with 14 kills on 27 attempts, posting an efficient hitting percentage of .519. Defensively, Palmbush added a solo block and two block assists. Annaka Jorgenson recorded a team-high 15 kills while also picking up 12 digs. Sarah Wilson also reached double figures in kills, finishing with 13. Wilson also delivered a career-high three service aces for the Cougars. Paige Johnstone finished with her second most digs this season, recording 29 in the match. Brooke Bunker recorded 26 assists, and Trinitee Carroll added 18. Jaela Bernard had four block assists and Katelyn Sonnier had three block assists.

How it Happened: Midway through the opening set of the contest, the two teams were locked in a 14-14 affair. The Cougars would go on a 5-0 run to take a 19-14 lead, and they had another 5-0 run a few minutes later, which turned a 20-18 score into a 25-18 first set win for the visitors. Academy of Art would answer back in the second set, tying the match score at 1-1 with a 25-20 victory.

With the momentum of the match up for grabs late in the third set, the two teams were locked at 21-21. A Jorgenson kill put the Cougars on top at 22-21, and an attack error by Academy of Art made it 23-21. While the Urban Knights drew within a point twice over the final moments of the set, Palmbush secured the 2-1 match lead for the Cougars on a kill that made it 25-23. 

Azusa Pacific jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in the third set, and the Cougars would maintain the lead for the remainder of the contest. The Cougars' largest lead of the set came at 19-11, and the set ended 25-19. 

By the Numbers: The Cougars finished with 64 kills, which is a season-high across the five matches that Azusa Pacific has played four sets this season. The Cougars have now won the last 12 meetings between the two schools, with Academy of Art's last win occurring in 2016. Over the Cougars' 12 match winning streak against the Urban Knights, Azusa Pacific has won in straight-set fashion nine times, and by a 3-1 score in the other three meetings. 

Up Next: After three consecutive road matches, the Cougars will be back in Azusa for four straight home contests. The Cougars will open the homestand on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:00 pm, when Hawai'i Pacific visits the Felix Event Center.