AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific made it seven wins in a row, using an exceptional serving performance to sweep aside Fresno Pacific 25-18, 25-22, 25-15 Tuesday evening inside the Felix Event Center.  The Cougars put up 11 aces as a team, while Annaka Jorgenson had 12 kills.

How It Happened:  After spotting the Sunbirds a 4-0 lead to open the first set, the Cougars came roaring back, winning the next nine points, including two aces from Sarah Wilson.  The Cougars would end up with four aces in the first set.  Azusa Pacific never let the Sunbirds back within more than three the rest of the way, using kills from Katelyn Sonnier to claim their final two points of the set and a 25-18 win.

The second set was hotly contested, featuring eight ties and four lead changes.  Fresno Pacific would go on a 7-1 run at one point and open up a four-point lead on multiple occasions, but the Cougars rallied down the stretch, getting seven kills from Kyra Palmbush in the set and taking the lead for good at 22-21, taking four of the final five points in the set.

The momentum from that rally would carry over to the third, where the Cougars won the first 10 points of the set, including three aces from Brooke Bunker and three blocks courtesy of Palmbush.  Bunker would add consecutive aces her second time through the service rotation, allowing the Cougars to extend the lead to double digits before Jorgenson ended the match with her 12th kill of the evening.

By the Numbers:  The Cougars' 11 aces on the evening are a season high, while Bunker's six are the most for a Cougar since Aubrea Banfield's seven in the season opening match last year against Rollins.  Five different Cougars had at least one ace in the match.  Palmbush had two solo blocks and five block assists, all of which were assisted by Kendyl Macaskill, while Paige Johnstone had a game-high 16 digs in the back row.  The Cougars swept the Sunbirds on the season and have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two programs.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (14-8, 11-3 PacWest) continue their homestand with a critical showdown against Chaminade, who are only half a game ahead of the Cougars for second place in the conference.  First serve in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, and the game can be livestreamed HERE.