FPU staved off a Dominican comeback attempt on Thursday night, outlasting the visiting Penguins in five sets. Rebecca Waller turned in a career night for the Sunbirds (18-7, 12-4 PacWest), tallying 21 kills and hitting .432. Kathleen Anderson added 12 kills and Rupia Inck had 11. Bissie DenHartog dished out 39 assists, Hannah Butler finished with 30 digs and Anderson had a match-high seven blocks.

Waller, whose previous career high was 14 kills, was the team's go-to attacking option, getting a team-high 37 attempts and delivering in clutch situations for the Sunbirds. The team built up a 2-0 lead before switching up the lineups to get some younger players some in-game experience. In set two, the Sunbirds held the Penguins to a negative .250 attack percentage and just three kills in the entire set.

The Penguins would march back however, capitalizing on FPU's errors in the next two sets to draw even at 2-2. FPU committed 36 errors on the night, tying a season high from the team's second match of the year against Saginaw Valley State.

The Sunbirds would regroup though and with their original starting lineup back on the court would take care of business in set five. After falling behind 2-0, the Sunbirds outscored the Penguins 15-5 the rest of the way to finish the match.

Aimee Steinwand had 13 kills for the Penguins, who dropped to 5-20, 3-14 in the PacWest.

The Sunbirds continue their homestand this Saturday, taking on Academy of Art at 7 pm.