Box Score

Fresno Pacific concluded its regular season on Tuesday, matching up with former GSAC conference rival Concordia, the undefeated #1-ranked team in the NAIA. The Eagles (31-0) would prove to be too much to overcome on their home floor in Irvine as FPU dropped the final two sets to fall 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-18, 25-21).

The Sunbirds, ranked #10 in NCAA Division II, ended the regular season with a record of 23-3. FPU will host the NCCAA West Region championship match on Saturday at 7 pm, playing the winner of #2-seed California Baptist and #3-seed Azusa Pacific, who play on Thursday.

Erica Adachi had 24 assists, nine kills and a .533 attack percentage to lead FPU. Rupia Inck had 16 kills and Karah Mitchell added 12, but FPU was limited to just a .164 attack percentage on the day.

The Eagles meanwhile hit .300, getting 15 kills from Maddy Ekis in the victory, while FPU committed 24 attack errors.

"We made far too many errors," said head coach Kelly Winter. "They're a good team and to win we needed to do all the things we do well, and we didn't. We would put ourselves in good position to win a set, then lose focus and let it get away. I hope we learn from today's match as we head into the most important part of our season. We can't get allow ourselves to get up on a team and just go through the motions. We need to be more consistent in maintaining our focus and executing."

After dropping the first set the Sunbirds stormed back and took set two 25-19 to tie it up. The Sunbirds led 15-13 in set three but would let it get away as the Eagles outscored them 12-3 from that point. FPU was then tied 18-18 in the final set before the Eagles close it out.

Tickets for Saturday's playoff game will be $3 for all attendees, including FPU students and staff.