Box Score

On paper #20 Fresno Pacific was an underdog taking on the NAIA's #5-ranked team, but it certainly didn't look that way on the court as the Sunbirds blew past Azusa Pacific in straight sets, treating a near-capacity home crowd to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 win in the team's home opener.

It was the sixth straight win for the Sunbirds (6-3, 3-0 GSAC) and the second straight win against a team ranked #5 in the NAIA (FPU downed then-#5 Point Loma Nazarene 3-2 in San Diego on Saturday).

Kathleen Anderson was the focal point of the Sunbird offense, totaling 16 kills and just one error on 26 swings for a .577 attack percentage. Jessie Alcorn added 12 kills and Martina Gregusova had eight in the victory.

Emily Carroll led the team with 31 assists, and also added four service aces and 10 digs, while Erica Adachi was instrumental to the win by racking up nine digs, eight kills and six assists. Kailey Allen gave the Sunbirds eight digs out of the libero spot and Amy Siemens gave the team a strong presence up-front, each playing in their first FPU home game.

"Our serving was exceptional today," said coach Kelly Winter, whose team posted eight service aces. "We wanted to serve tough and keep them out of their offense because they're very good in their system."

The Sunbirds broke away from a 14-14 tie in the first set to close out on an 11-4 run. Adachi fired up the crowd with a solo block to bring the set to match-point before Gregusova ended it with a kill down the middle.

FPU controlled the second set, jumping out to a 14-5 lead with Anderson and Alcorn leading the charge. The Sunbirds led 20-9 and got to match-point at 24-14 before the Cougars would run off six straight points prompting Winter to call timeout. Alcorn swiftly delivered a devastating kill right out of the break to end the set 25-20.

The Sunbirds fell behind 13-10 in the third set and trailed 16-12 before a kill and an ace by Adachi cut the Cougar lead in half. FPU would tie it at 17 and the match would go back and forth from there until two kills by Anderson would end it in the Sunbirds favor.

The Cougars, who had been ranked as high as #3 before falling at Concordia over the weekend, fell to 14-4, 1-2 GSAC. Whittany Radcliffe led the team with 14 kills and Amy Alkazin added 12.

The Sunbirds hit .343 as team compared to APU's .261, including .441 in the final set. With the victory, FPU improved to 60-10 all-time against APU.

The Sunbirds are back at home on Saturday, hosting Hope International at 3 pm.

Around the GSAC
#23 Vanguard (H) 3, San Diego Christian 0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-17)
The Master's 3, Westmont (H) 1 (18-25, 25-18, 25-18, 29-27)
#3 Concordia (H) 3, #7 Point Loma Nazarene 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-18)
#10 Biola (H) 3, Hope International 0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-12)