Box Score Fresno Pacific def. Azusa Pacific 3-2 (25-22, 25-22, 34-36, 20-25, 15-4)AZUSA, Calif. - Fresno Pacific capped off its first PacWest road trip of the season in dramatic fashion with a thrilling five-set victory at Azusa Pacific on Saturday. The Sunbirds (7-5, 1-2 PacWest) won the first two sets and had match-point seven different times in a seemingly never-ending third set that ultimately went to the Cougars 36-34, sparking an APU comeback. The Cougars would use that momentum to force a decisive fifth set, but the Sunbirds regained composure in convincing fashion for a 15-4 victory to put the match away.
The final match of the team's four-day Southern California road trip would test the Sunbirds in every way. Physically and mentally exhausted from two tough road losses the previous night, the Sunbirds faced a talented APU team that had an extra day of rest and was playing in its home gym. But the Sunbirds received an energy boost before the match even started as a large group of FPU students and fans made the trip to APU, turning the unfriendly confines of Felix Events Center into a home-match environment.
"They made quite an entrance," said head coach
Kelly Winter of the fan support. "They were decked out in all orange and they stood and cheered for the entire five sets. It was pretty remarkable and was definitely a difference-maker in the match."
The Sunbirds cruised in the first two sets and appeared to be on their way to a quick victory, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in set three and leading 16-11 at one point. The Cougars clawed their way back into it however and both teams refused to back down during what would go down as the longest set of the season for both teams.
"Nobody wanted to let the ball fall," said Winter. "Every player was all over the place defensively. Everyone on both teams just mentally stepped up their game and it made it so hard to put a ball away."
FPU had seven chances to win the match outright. APU had four chances to win it, but the teams continued to trade points. Finally with the Cougars up 35-34, what looked to be a game-tying kill was called a net violation on FPU, giving the set to the Cougars.
Coming so close to being on their way back home was a demoralizing setback for the Sunbirds, who struggled in the fourth set as the Cougars gained momentum.
"It felt like we had nothing left," said Winter, "but we kept battling."
With all the momentum on APU's side, the Sunbirds showed exemplary mental toughness as the teams headed into the final set.
"The mood completely changed," said Winter. "They found the extra energy, let that last set go and came back with a renewed focus and determination."
Kathleen Anderson would provide the spark needed to turn things around and put the Cougars back on their heels. The senior captain delivered three kills and two blocks during the first nine points, helping FPU build a 9-1 lead that effectively took APU out of the game.
Rupia Inck and
Morghan Williams came through with kills down the stretch as FPU closed out the victory.
"Mentally we grew a lot this weekend," said Winter. "We're going to see a lot of these matches where we need to maintain our fight and compete at a high level. Today, the girls mentally stayed in it. They passed well and played amazing defense and we had some players really step up. Kathleen set the tone in set five, Gabi stepped up big, Toni really stepped up today and served really well and got us some points in crucial moments."
Anderson finished with 17 kills and 13 blocks.
Gabriela Macedo added 14 kills and
Hannah Butler led the defense with 25 digs. It was a defensive battle all day, with neither team being able to consistently put away its attacks. FPU hit just .144 on the day, but held APU to a .112 attack percentage.
Four Sunbirds finished with double-doubles: Anderson, Macedo (who had 15 digs to go with her 14 kills),
Sarah McCann (52 assists, 14 digs) and
Rupia Inck (12 kills, 22 digs).
Toni Murphy contributed a team-high five service aces to go with 12 digs.
Mattie Shelford had 16 kills to lead the Cougars (4-6, 1-1 PacWest).
The Sunbirds take a break from PacWest play to take on Fresno State in a crosstown showdown at the Save Mart Center on Tuesday night. The two programs are renewing their annual exhibition after a one-year hiatus last season. FPU holds a 7-1 record all-time against the Bulldogs, but Fresno State took the last meeting 3-2 in 2012.
"We know we can battle, we can stay in matches and we can take a hit and keep coming" said Winter. "That's going to help us out a lot on Tuesday. There's going to be a great crowd, it'll be a great community event and a great match for both teams. I'm exciting to renew the series."
