AZUSA, Calif. — Seeking to avenge themselves after a loss in four sets the night before, Azusa Pacific fought back from a 0-2 deficit to Alaska Fairbanks before eventually dropping the fifth set on Saturday morning.

In hopes of leading their team to a heroic, comeback win, Anya Green stepped up for the Cougars in just her third game donning APU across her chest. She entered the game with a .500 hitting percentage plus 20 kills over two games and earned 13 kills and a team-high six total blocks against the Nanooks. Additionally, she finished the game with a .520 hitting percentage to establish herself as the most consistent hitter on the team.

As one of just six returners on this team, Kendyl MacAskill stepped up big with two blocks and five kills. Delaney Tate contributed with a season-best 17 kills and Sarah Wilson followed with 14.

How it Happened: After losing the first set 23-25 and the second set 20-25, the Cougars had their backs against the wall not wanting to earn their second loss in a row in a straight-set fashion.

The Cougars were finally able to break down some of the Nanooks' strengths eventually limiting their hitting ability as MacAskill and Green stepped up with several big blocks in the fourth and fifth sets. These blocks caused momentum for the Cougars who started the third set with their first lead of the game and managed to keep it the rest of the set.

In that third set, both teams had their fair share of exchanging points until Azusa Pacific led 18-17. The Cougars then rattled off six straight points to make it match point. Although the Nanooks were able to side out once making it 24-18, Katelyn Sonnier came up with a big to end the set in favor of the Cougars.

To start the fourth set, both teams exchanged leads multiple times until Azusa Pacific settled in and pieced together a few runs to eventually be up 21-16. However, the Nanooks were not going down easy as they were able to score three straight points and then force a side out after each serve that the Cougars' took back. Eventually, MacAskill stepped up with a powerful strike to take the set 25-20 and force a fifth set for the first time this season.

In what seemed like a game that was leaning more in favor of the Cougars after bouncing back from a 0-2 deficit, Azusa Pacific found themselves making minor but costly mistakes giving Alaska Fairbanks a lopsided 12-6 lead.

The Cougars remained in it showing some of that grit and energy from the last two sets but it was no match to the lead that Nanooks had made early and despite a valiant effort, the Cougars dropped the last set 15-9. 

By the Numbers: Both teams put on a block party as Azusa Pacific put up ten total blocks while Alaska Fairbanks had 12. When it came to assisted blocks, the Nanooks had 24 meanwhile the Cougars put together eight assisted blocks and six solo blocks. Heading into the third set, the Nanooks were hitting .344 but the Cougars were able to force them to a .043 and .195 hitting percentage in the third and fourth sets. Azusa Pacific on the other hand found itself with a .406 hitting percentage and only two attacking errors across the fourth set. 

Up Next: The Cougars have a brief turnaround before their second match of the day, which will be just a few miles south in Irvine against Ursuline College. Following what will be their fourth game in three days, the Cougars will enjoy a week-long break before returning to action in a tournament in San Marcos next weekend.