Box Score

Fresno Pacific played well early on, but crumbled down the stretch in a 3-0 loss to conference rival Azusa Pacific on Friday night, falling 28-26, 25-22 and 25-14.

FPU was limited to a .151 attack percentage on the night while the Cougars hit .292 as a team. Rupia Inck had 16 kills but no other Sunbird player had more than six as the FPU struggled to find their middle blockers on the attack.

Chelsea Speaks posted a double-double for the Sunbirds, finishing with 19 assists and 10 digs. Bissie DenHartog added 14 assists and Hannah Butler had a match-high 16 digs.

Christy Cain led APU with 13 kills and hit .500.

"Azusa passed well, served well and executed tonight," said head coach Kelly Winter. "We were doing some things really well, but we also gave a lot back and made a lot of errors. We were good in spurts tonight but we really need to become more consistent."

With the victory the Cougars (17-7, 9-5 PacWest) swept the season series from the Sunbirds (11-10, 6-8 PacWest) for the first time since 1983.

FPU is back in action tomorrow night, facing #25 Point Loma at 4 pm.

"They're a great team," said Winter of the Sea Lions. "They're really aggressive and like us they are a very young team."