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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

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Loewen, Jacey5 - VB [2026]
Mick Wilson
0
Azusa Pacific APU 20-2,6-2 SCIAC
3
Winner Cal Lutheran CLU 11-7,7-1 SCIAC
Azusa Pacific APU
20-2,6-2 SCIAC
0
Final
3
Cal Lutheran CLU
11-7,7-1 SCIAC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Azusa Pacific APU 19 15 24 (0)
Cal Lutheran CLU 25 25 26 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Hitting a Wall

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Have the Cougars hit a brick wall?

After opening the season with an amazing sprint from the gate in which the Cougars won a program record 20 consecutive matches, dropping just 7 sets in the process, Azusa Pacific has lost 2 straight matches and  surprisingly didn't win a set.

Cal Lutheran handed Azusa Pacific the most recent setback by a sweep, taking a 25-19, 25-15, 26-24 verdict from the Cougars in Gilbert Arena on the CLU campus.

As was the case when La Verne downed APU in straight sets Tuesday, the Cougar defense struggled to slow the Regals while their own offense sputtered throughout the match.

The Cougars hit just .124 as a team while committing 22 attack errors. Freshman Taylor Klatt paced APU with a team-high 10 kills, while senior Jacey Loewen added 8 kills and 3 service aces. Mylah Niksa contributed 7 kills, and Flora Sebestyen totaled 6 kills, 6 digs, and 2 aces.

Cal Lutheran established control early, using a 6-1 run midway through the opening set to build separation. APU cut the deficit to 20-18 behind consecutive points keyed by Loewen and Niksa, but the Kingsmen closed on a 5-1 run to claim the first set.

The second set remained tight early, with the Cougars drawing even at 7-7 following a Sebestyen ace and a kill from Brynja Martin. However, Cal Lutheran answered with a decisive 14-5 surge, fueled by strong net play and timely serving, opening a 21-12 advantage. APU was unable to recover as the Kingsmen took a two-set lead.

Facing elimination, Azusa Pacific delivered its best volleyball in the third set. After trailing 13-8, the Cougars rallied with a 10-2 run behind Klatt, Loewen, and Sebestyen to move in front 18-15. APU later built a 24-21 lead and held 3 set points after consecutive Klatt kills.

Cal Lutheran refused to fold. The Regals scored 5 straight points to erase the deficit, tying the set at 24 before back-to-back points from Emily Ford and a match-ending block secured the sweep
APU finished with 36 kills, 42 digs, 6 service aces, and 3 total blocks. Mia Medrano led the defensive effort with 16 digs.

Cal Lutheran was led by Reese Balagot with 12 kills and a .409 hitting percentage, while Ford added 9 kills and hit .500. The Kingsmen outhit the Cougars .301 to .124 and held an 11-3 advantage in total blocks.
With the loss, APU falls to 20-2 on the season and will look to rebound when it visits Caltech Saturday (Oct. 17) for a 2 p.m. match in Pasadena.
 
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