SAN DIEGO, Calif. – - No. 1 Fresno Pacific (12-0, 2-0 GSAC) finished its first weekend of Golden State Athletic Conference play with a victory over No,. 7-ranked Point Loma Nazarene 3-1 on Saturday.

The Sunbireds handed the Sea Lions (11-1, 101) their first loss of the season, 25-22, 26-28, 25-19, 25-17.

After dropping the second set, the Sunbirds held Pt. Loma to a minus-.027 hitting percentage in the third set. The Sunbirds began the fourth set down 7-10, but rallied with a 10-2 run to take control for the win.

The Sunbirds had better hitting percentages in every set. The Sunbirds outdid the Sea Lions in every aspect -- kills, assists, digs and blocks.

Lauren Albertson was involved in nine of the Sunbirds' 15 team blocks to lead the way defensively along with Mariah Mandelbaum's team-high 20 digs, Tiffany Marinos and Martina Gregusova followed with 14 digs apiece.

Gregusova led the Sunbirds offense with 13 kills, while Marinos, Michelle Johnson and Keke Wang each had 10 apiece.  Erika Adachi and Emily Carroll contributed with a combined 42 assists for the Sunbirds.

Coach Dennis Janzen was pleased with his team's play: "I really like seeing how well our young team is maturing so quickly in the season.  It was great to see the balanced scoring [from Gregusova, Marinos, Johnson and Wang], and the blocking the girls displayed. it really helps in important wins like this.”

Every GSAC win becomes important, especially with the depth the conference has in the NAIA.  That's why the Sunbirds will be ready to go when they return home to face Biola at 7 p.m. Wednesday.