FRESNO, Calif. – Karah Mitchell totaled a career-high 26 kills for Fresno Pacific on Saturday, but it wasn't enough as California Baptist overcame a 2-0 deficit to down the Sunbirds in five sets at the Special Events Center. Set scores were 24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-17 and 15-11 in favor of the Lancers.
 
FPU falls to 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the PacWest with the loss, while CBU improves to 11-3 overall and 6-0 in league action. The Lancers, who are currently receiving votes in the national poll, are winners of six straight.
 
Mitchell's 26 kills were a game-high and the junior also added 20 digs for a career-best. Montana Lowe added 14 kills on .545 hitting, Hailey Hilvers put down nine kills to go along with five blocks, Carley Bock finished with nine kills and Madison Pierce chipped in with four kills and four blocks. Bissie DenHartog put together her fifth double-double of the year with 57 assists and 11 digs, while Chelsea Speaks led the defense with 23 digs.
 
The Sunbirds took the first two sets to jump out to a quick lead in the match, hitting .333 in the second set. Following a ten-minute intermission, the Lancers came out firing on offense to storm back and force a decisive fifth set. FPU trailed 8-7 after a kill from Hilvers, but CBU put the game away with a 5-1 run to lead 13-8 and eventually earn the 15-11 victory.

"I was proud of the way we came out tonight," said head coach Tracy Ainger-Schulte. "Our loss on Wednesday was really tough on the players and the coaching staff, and I wasn't sure how we were going to respond for today's match. The girls came in focused to practice yesterday, and it carried through to today. A loss like today is never easy, but after the match we focused on the vast improvements we have made in just the two weeks since we played them last. The team is still fully invested in what we are asking of them day in and day out, and are trusting the process, knowing that the results will come."
 
Lauren Hackett led the Lancers with 25 kills and 11 digs, while Sydney Kralj came away with 53 assists. Jessica Harris totaled eight blocks defensively.
 
CBU out-blocked FPU 13-7 in the match and totaled nine service aces as a team.
 
The Sunbirds close out their five-game homestand on Wednesday, October 5 as they host Holy Names at 7 p.m.