ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Dixie State on Thursday, but it wasn't enough as the Sunbirds fell in five sets in PacWest action. Set scores were 14-25, 13-25, 25-19, 25-14 and 15-9 in favor of the Trailblazers.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Dixie State 3, Fresno Pacific 2
Records: FPU (9-13, 7-6 PacWest), DSU (9-11, 7-5)
Location:  St. George, Utah | Student Activities Center
Series: The Sunbirds trail 5-2 to the Trailblazers
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds looked good in the early going and dominated the opening two sets.
• FPU hit .419 in the first set and carried the momentum into the second to hold DSU to a clip of negative .125.
• The 'Birds couldn't close out the win, however, as the Trailblazers stormed back to win the next three sets.

STATS OF THE GAME:
• Karah Mitchell led the way for FPU with 10 kills and 14 digs.
• Caroline Bodziak and Carley Bock added nine kills apiece for FPU, while Tiff Wong totaled 19 digs defensively.
• Greta Dobenecker dished out 17 assists and added 18 digs and Christina Tran added 16 helpers for the 'Birds.
• The Trailblazers received a game-high 14 kills from Lauren Gammel.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Mitchell has now recorded a double-double in five straight matches for the Sunbirds. It was her 10th such effort of the year, which ranks second on the team to Dobenecker, who totaled her 12th of the season on Thursday.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds travel to Azusa Pacific on Saturday, Oct. 28th at 3 p.m.