FRESNO -- Six matches into its 2009 season, defending NAIA volleyball champion Fresno Pacific is 6-0 and has not lost a set.

The Sunbirds swept three opponents Saturday in the Sunbird Invitational, needing just 60 minutes to put away Westminster (Utah) in the nightcap, 25-18, 25-9, 25-16.

Earlier, Fresno Pacific downed Cornerstone, 25-13, 25-13, 25-20 and Menlo 25-20, 25-22, 25-14.

Sunbirds  coach Dennis Janzen felt his team was "outworked" by scrappy Menlo, but he was pleased at the recovery against Westminster.

"Starting with the final set against Menlo, we got back to who we are," Janzen said. "We were efficient. What I was most happy with was our all-around performance [against Westminster]. No one had a bad night."
 
As the No. 1-rankled Sunbirds begin their season in quest of a third straigt NAIA title, returning All-American middle blockers Lisa Shilling and Keke Wang are joined on the front line by Missisppi State transfer Martina Gregusova, who had 10 service aces and 14 kills in Game 1,  Wang led with 14 kills in Game 2 and hit .765. #Senior Tiffany Marinos# had 13 kills and hit .500 in Game 3.

Freshmen Erica Adachi and Emily Carroll shared setting duties as Janzen seeks to find a replacement for NAIA player of the year Shu Liu.