Box Score

FPU allowed #9 Biola to come back from a 2-0 deficit, but the Sunbirds would close it out in set four to defeat the Eagles 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 and improve to 11-0.

Up 23-18 in set three the Sunbirds were two points away from an early trip back to Fresno, but the Eagles closed out the set on a 7-0 run. FPU called a timeout still up 23-22, but Biola capitalized on a free-ball opportunity to tie it.

Two Sunbird errors later and Biola had reignited its home crowd and given themselves new life heading into set four.

"You can't really point the finger at anyone for that breakdown, we just didn't perform at a high enough level to close out a match in an environment like this," said coach Dennis Janzen of the Eagles' 7-0 run. "In set four we played within our system and closed it out."

The intensity turned up as many of the first few points featured long rallies from both sides. The teams were trading points, but the Sunbirds began to pull away as Martina Gregusova got going.

Gregusova, who led the team with 15 kills, had five kills during a span which saw the Sunbirds go ahead 19-16. Biola battled back to make the score 20-19 Sunbirds, but Keke Wang tipped a kill past the defense to put FPU up by two.

The Sunbird defense then buckled down, getting two solo blocks from Lisa Shilling and another from Karah Mitchell to bring the team to match-point. Mitchell then delivered a perfect kill-shot to end it.

Wang finished with 13 kills and Erica Adachi had 25 assists. Mariah Mandelbaum led all players with 20 digs. The Sunbirds hit .240 on the night and just .114 in set three. They held Biola to an overall percentage of .137.

FPU cruised to victory in sets one and two, getting eight service aces in the first set. Gregusova led the team with six service aces.

The Sunbirds return home this Saturday to face Vanguard at 3 pm.