COSTA MESA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific secured its third straight victory with a decisive 3-1 win (25-22, 25-20, 25-27, 25-20) over Vanguard in their PacWest opener. This victory elevates the Cougars to 5-3 on the season.

Although this marks Vanguard's inaugural season in the PacWest Conference, the two teams go way back. Since their first matchup in 1980, Azusa Pacific leads the all-time series against the Lions 47-20. The last time these two teams faced off was in 2012 when the Lions earned a 3-1 over the Cougars. Before that game, the Cougars held a ten-game winning streak over the Lions.

Delaney Tate led the team with eleven kills and 52 total attacks, while also contributing 21 digs—the second most on the team. Kendyl MacAskill added ten kills and three assisted blocks, and Sarah Wilson finished with ten kills and two service aces.

On defense, Mia Medrano led the Cougars with 27 digs—her second-highest total this season—after posting 77 digs over the last three games.

How It Happened: The Cougars jumped out to an early 4-1 and nearly maintained their lead through the entirety of the first set. Despite facing some trouble and trailing 20-22, an attack error by the Lions sparked a five-point run, allowing the Cougars to take the first set, 25-22. 

Delaney Tate started the second set with back-to-back kills for the Cougars, but the team struggled to play off the momentum, finding themselves down 9-4 early. But two more back-to-back kills from Tate sparked a four-point run for the Cougars, closing the gap to just one point. The teams exchanged points until four straight errors by the Lions, capped off by a kill from Wilson, gave the Cougars a 20-17 lead. Although the Lions managed to tie the score at 20-20, Azusa Pacific once again closed strong, securing the last five points to win the second set.

In what initially appeared to be a quick 1-2-3 match, the Lions refused to go down easy in the third set. Azusa Pacific found themselves ahead 23-17 lead, just two points away from securing the match. However, the Lions scored five straight points to close the gap to 23-22. An attack error finally put the Cougars at match point, but the Lions fought back, tying the score at 24-24 and then again at 25-25. They ultimately earned the last two points they needed with back-to-back kills, forcing a fourth set.

The fifth set appeared to favor the Lions as they held a 19-17 lead, just a few points away from forcing a decisive fifth set. However, an attack error sparked a six-point run for the Cougars, featuring three kills from Wilson alone. Amanda Albertini sealed the match for Azusa Pacific with a commanding strike, leading to a 25-20 victory in the fourth and final set.

By the Numbers: Although Vanguard led the Cougars in kills overall 54-44, the Cougars forced the Lions to commit a season-high 30 errors. Meanwhile, the Cougars finished with a .200 hitting percentage and just 14 errors on the day. Additionally, the Cougars led with ten total blocks, led by Amanda Albertini and Anya Green who finished with four apiece. 

Up Next: Following their first win in PacWest play, the Cougars face a quick turnaround as they return home to take on another new conference foe, Jessup, tomorrow afternoon. The match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Felix Event Center.