AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougar volleyball team pulled off their sixth consecutive victory Friday night, sweeping Hawai'i Pacific 25-20, 25-17, 26-24 inside the Felix Event Center.  Annaka Jorgenson led the way with 12 kills and 10 digs.

How It Happened:  The Cougars led for all but one point in the opening set, quickly rallying from that 3-2 deficit behind a fast start from Kendyl Macaskill, who had a kill and two block assists in the first four points Azusa Pacific won.  The Cougars would stretch their advantage to as much as six points in the set, and while the Sharks would rally to within one at 20-19, Azusa Pacific pull out the set, using four blocks and a hitting percentage of .361 to take the frame, 25-20.

The Cougars led wire-to-wire in the second set, the highlight of which was an epic rally at 9-5 that saw each team have 10 separate attacks and lasted over a full minute before Jorgenson got a kill that brought the Event Center crowd to their feet.  A 6-0 run highlighted by consecutive Brooke Bunker aces would extend the lead to 19-11, and the Cougars would trade points from there, with a Brynja Martin block giving the home team the second set 25-17.

The Sharks would not go quietly, as the third set would see 13 ties and eight lead changes.  Hawai'i Pacific would take a three-point lead twice late in the set, including at 22-19.  But that's when middle blocker Kyra Palmbush sprang to life, winning three consecutive points with two blocks and a kill, keying a 5-0 run by the Cougars.  While two match points would be staved off by a game Sharks squad, the Cougars would not be denied, winning two points in a row to complete the victory.

By the Numbers:  Jorgenson was the only player in double figures in kills with 12, which leaves her just 30 shy of 1,500 for her career.  Palmbush had eight kills, a solo block, and five block assists; while Macaskill has eight kills and four block assists.  Paige Johnstone led the back line with 16 digs, while Hailey Patino added 2 aces to go with nine digs.  The Cougars hit .279 for the match.  This is the fourth consecutive straight-set win for the Cougars against the Sharks, and Azusa Pacific leads the all-time series 13-8.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (13-8, 10-3 PacWest) continues their home stand on Tuesday evening when they host Fresno Pacific in the Felix Event Center at 6:00 p.m.  The match can be live streamed HERE.