Box Score

#8 Fresno Pacific rebounded from last weekend's loss with a convincing 3-1 road victory over #12 Biola on Tuesday night (20-25, 28-26, 28-26, 25-22). The Sunbirds (11-5, 7-2 GSAC) played together and focused when it mattered most to earn a win in La Mirada, one of the toughest places to play in the GSAC.

With the Eagle defense keying in on Kathleen Anderson in the middle, Martina Gregusova and Jessie Alcorn had a field day from the outside. Gregusova's 23 kills were a season high and Alcorn added 19 in the win.

"We passed well tonight and that made all the difference in the world," said FPU coach Kelly Winter, whose team showed resilience to come back from an early deficit as they have many times this season. "We fought for every point and they made us earn each one. On Saturday we were giving away points so it was great to be able to earn some back tonight."

The Sunbirds played tremendously well on defense, with five players finishing in double figure digs. Gregusova and Emily Carroll led the way with 18 each. Kailey Allen had 16, Alcorn had 11 and Erica Adachi added 10. Adachi and Carroll split the setting duties, finishing with 29 and 28 assists respectively. Anderson, even with the Eagles focusing on stopping her, had 12 kills and led the team with six blocks.

FPU also saw steady play from Maureen Brown, who entered the lineup tonight and helped stabilize things with her maturity and leadership on the floor. The team responded well after dropping the first set 25-20, winning the next two critical sets despite the Eagles reaching set-point in both.

Up 24-23 in set two, Biola had a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead but the Sunbirds forced a couple of attack errors to prolong the set. The Eagles had it within their grasp again at 26-25 before Anderson hammered home a kill to tie it. Gregusova would follow with a kill to give the Sunbirds the lead and Anderson's service ace on the next play gave the team the 28-26 victory to tie up the match at 1-1.

In the all-important third set it was the Sunbirds with the first chance to put it away, leading 24-23 before a Biola block and an FPU attack error gave the Eagles the advantage. Remaining calm under pressure, FPU would respond by winning some exciting rallies.

Adachi tied the game with a kill and Alcorn followed with one of her own to give the Sunbirds the lead 26-25. Biola's Christine Douglas re-tied it but then had an attack error to put FPU at set point again. After a long rally that included a crucial dig by Allen and a great pass from Carroll, Anderson delivered a powerful kill across the middle that the Eagle defense had no chance of stopping.

Winter noted that both teams played fantastic defense in sets two and three, resulting in relatively low attack percentages for both squads. In set four the Sunbird offense began to open up and play more comfortable, hitting .382.

Biola hit .187 on the night and was led by Douglas' 19 kills. Gracee Gallarda had 25 assists and 13 digs, while Emily Weingartner had 22 digs in the loss.

With no letup in the GSAC schedule, FPU faces another top team on Saturday, #14 Point Loma Nazarene. The Sea Lions (13-4, 5-4 GSAC) come into Fresno where they haven't won since 2002. FPU defeated PLNU in San Diego in a five-set match earlier this season. Match time is slated for 3 pm.

Around the GSAC
Azusa Pacific 3, Westmont (H) 0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-22)
Point Loma Nazarene (H) 3, San Diego Christian 0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-11)
Concordia (H) 3, Hope International 0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-12)
Vanguard (H) 3, The Masters 1 (25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 25-14)