Box Score

Fresno Pacific completed a season sweep of Point Loma Nazarene with a 3-1 (33-31, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21) victory on Saturday in the Special Events Center. The #8 Sunbirds improved to 12-5 overall and 8-2 in GSAC play while #14 PLNU dropped to 13-5 overall, 5-5 in GSAC play.
 
Martina Gregusova highlighted the victory, coming on head coach Kelly Winter's birthday, as she recorded 25 kills. She finished with a hitting percentage of .338 on the day, while also chipping in with 25 digs and two blocks. Jessie Alcorn and Kathleen Anderson were also effective in the victory as they recorded 17 kills each.
 
In a thrilling opening set, FPU ignited the home crowd with a 33-31 first set win. The Sunbirds were on their heels early, falling behind 20-18 at one point, forcing a timeout by Winter. The back-and-forth match saw Fresno Pacific down 24-22 at set point, but following a timeout, consecutive kills by Alcorn and Anderson tied the match at 24-24. The two teams matched each other kill-for-kill as the score reached 31-31, setting up two Alcorn kills to finish the set. The Sunbirds hit .320 for the set, highlighted by eight kills from Gregusova and six kills apiece by Anderson and Alcorn.
 
FPU used the momentum from the first set to capture a 25-15 win in set two, holding the Sea Lions to a .023 hitting percentage. Along with the strong show of defense by the Sunbirds, their diverse offense was just as impressive. FPU jumped out to a 14-9 lead following a steady diet of kills by Alcorn, Anderson, Gregusova, and Erica Adachi. After a Sea Lion timeout, FPU continued their offensive attack with two straight kills by Anderson to put the score at 18-12. The set was highlighted by an Adachi block to set up the 25-15 win, putting FPU up 2-0 in the match.
 
In the third set, the Sea Lions took the early lead 10-8. This momentum continued throughout the set as PLNU captured a 25-19 win to make the score 2-1. The set was highlighted by the turnaround for the Sea Lion offense as they hit an impressive .462 for the set. The Sunbirds fought to climb back into the set, but two aces by Tabitha Henken made the score 19-15 as the Sea Lions went on to win.
 
The Sunbirds came out firing in the fourth set, looking to put the match away. PLNU was forced into calling a timeout following an Alcorn block and an Anderson kill that made the score 16-10 in favor of the Sunbirds. Gregusova then recorded consecutive kills, setting up an Anderson block to put the score at 22-15 and ultimately out of the Sea Lions' reach.
 
Emily Carroll dished out 47 assists and had 13 digs in the victory. Kailey Allen also recorded 15 digs at the libero spot, helping the Sunbird defense, which played one of their best matches on the year. Maureen Brown contributed with two blocks as well.
 
Henken led the Sea Lions with 16 kills with Alyssa Dwyer adding 15. Aimee Bird had 55 assists in the loss.
 
The Sunbirds will look to complete a season sweep against another top GSAC team, #7 Azusa Pacific, Tuesday night on the road at 7 pm. The Sunbirds defeated APU 3-0 in Fresno earlier this season.

Around the GSAC
Vanguard (H) 3, Biola 1 (25-19, 26-28, 31-29, 25-21)
Concordia 3, Azusa Pacific (H) 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 26-24)
The Masters 3, Hope International (H) 0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-21)
Westmont (H) 3, San Diego Christian 0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19)