FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific played its third straight five-set match on Wednesday, as the Sunbirds fell to visiting Hawai'i Pacific 3-2 at the Special Events Center. FPU held a 2-1 lead after three sets, but the Sharks stormed back to steal the PacWest road victory by set scores of 25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 25-14, 15-12.
 
The Sunbirds drop to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in league action with the setback, while HPU moves to 7-6 overall and 3-1 in the PacWest.
 
Karah Mitchell led FPU with a double-double of 15 kills and 13 digs, while freshman Hailey Hilvers delivered five kills and a career-high eight blocks (three solo). Carley Bock added 12 kills, Montana Lowe put down 10 and Jasmine Phoolka finished with nine. Bissie DenHartog totaled 49 assists and 10 digs for a double-double and Chelsea Speaks led the defense with 25 digs.
 
The Sunbirds jumped out to a 2-1 advantage after holding the Sharks to a dismal .022 hitting attack in the third set. Down 13-11 in the set, the Sunbirds used a 9-1 run to take control of the frame behind a stifling defense and a balanced attack of Bock and Phoolka. The Sharks responded in the fourth to hit .455, however, and carried the momentum into the fifth, where they closed the decisive set on a 4-1 run to earn the victory.
 
Pomai Recca put down a game-high 19 kills and added 22 digs for Hawai'i Pacific. Mahea Pescaia and Kayla Kilaulani facilitated the Sharks' attack with 23 and 19 assists, respectively.
 
FPU returns home on Saturday to host California Baptist at 3 p.m. The Sunbirds are hosting a First Responders Day with festivities starting at 1 p.m. prior to the match. Families, fans and students are welcome to come eat, meet and greet our local law enforcement, firefighters and EMT personnel. All first responders will eat free and will be recognized at the start of the match. Admission to the game is free with a suggested donation to the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association.