AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougar volleyball team bounced back from Friday's game to return to the win column, sweeping Hawai'i Hilo by a score of 25-20, 25-18, 25-20 Saturday afternoon inside the Felix Event Center.  Freshman Sarah Wilson led the attack with 13 kills on the afternoon, while Kyra Palmbush added 11 kills and 5 blocks.

How It Happened:  The teams took their time feeling each other out, as the two sides exchanged sideouts on the first ten points of the contest.  But from that point, the Cougars surged forward.  Wilson proved to be the hot hand, with the outside hitter providing four kills as part of a 9-3 run that put the Cougars ahead for good.  The Vulcans would come within two points at 17-15, but Palmbush did enough in the middle to keep them at bay, producing four kills and three blocks to allow the Cougars to stay in front.  Paige Johnstone served up an ace on set point to clinch the set, 25-20.

Palmbush and Kendyl Macaskill combined to register five kills in the first seven points of the second set to give the Cougars an early advantage.  Another 4-0 run would give the home team a 14-8 lead and the Cougars would largely coast in from there, with Palmbush teaming up with Annaka Jorgenson for a block on set point to go up two sets to none.

The Vulcans made their stand early in the third set, jumping out to a 6-3 advantage.  However, Azusa Pacific would fire right back, reclaiming the lead with a 6-1 run of their own.  Hilo would fight back and tie the set on seven occasions.  With the set tied at 14-14, the Cougars' bench got in on the action, with Maggie Nielsen serving up consecutive aces, followed by a solo block from Ioanna Georgatzi putting the Cougars ahead for good.  .Consecutive kills from Jorgenson and Macaskill would finish off the sweep.

By the Numbers:  This was the eighth sweep of the season for the Cougars, and their third in four matches on the current homestand.  Wilson led the team with 13 kills, while Palmbush had 11 and Jorgenson added 7, leaving her just 2 shy of becoming the fourth player in program history to reach 1,500 for her career.  Johnstone added 14 digs and 2 aces from the libero spot, while Palmbush had a hand in 5 of the Cougars' 7 blocks on the day.  As a team, the Cougars hit .339 for the match.  This was Azusa Pacific's fourth consecutive victory over Hawai'i Hilo, and the Cougars now lead the all-time series, 13-11.

Up Next:  The Cougars (15-9, 12-4 PacWest) will conclude their five-game homestand on Thursday against Westmont.  First serve in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.