Box Score HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Azusa Pacific (6-5, 3-0 PacWest) opened its three matches in three days trip to Hawai'i on Friday evening, and the Cougars started the weekend with a 3-0 sweep of Hawai'i Pacific (25-16, 25-22, 25-21).
Kyra Palmbush turned in a season-high 12 kills, which she tallied on a hitting percentage of .417 (24 attempts).
Annaka Jorgenson joined Palmbush in double-digit kills with 10, and she has now posted 10 or more kills in four consecutive contests for Azusa Pacific.
Brooke Bunker finished the match with 21 assists.
Kendyl Macaskill had six block assists, while also adding seven kills for the Cougars.
Paige Johnstone returned to the Cougar lineup this evening, and she delivered three service aces and 10 digs.
How It Happened: An early 8-0 run in the first set turned a 4-2 Sharks lead into a 10-4 Cougar advantage. The Cougars' lead remained at five or more points for the remainder of the set, and late in the opening set, a service ace by Johnstone gave the Cougars their biggest lead at 23-12.
With Azusa Pacific up comfortably at 21-14 in the second set, Hawai'i Pacific started to show some signs of life, winning six straight points to pull within one at 21-20. A pair of Palmbush kills sandwiched a Macaskill kill to make it 24-21 Cougars, and while Hawai'i Pacific was able to get back within two points at 24-22, Macaskill closed out the set with a kill to make it 25-22.
The Cougars had a quick start in the third set, surging ahead 11-3. The Sharks then chipped away at the lead, eventually drawing to within two points of the Cougars at 17-15. Kills by Palmbush and
Jaela Bernard pushed Azusa Pacific's lead back up to four at 19-15, and the Cougars maintained the lead to secure the straight set sweep of the Sharks.
By the Numbers: The Cougars had a season-best hitting percentage, finishing with 49 kills on 116 attempts for a percentage of .319. Azusa Pacific has now had a team hitting percentage of .300 or better in three games this season. Of the Cougars' six wins thus far, four have occurred in dominant, straight-set fashion.
Up Next: The trip continues tomorrow for the Cougars, who will take on No. 14 Chaminade at 5:00 pm local time (8:00 pm PT). Chaminade will enter tomorrow's contest with a 12-1 overall record, and a 1-1 PacWest mark.
