FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team outlasted Hawai'i Pacific for a five-set victory on Monday night in PacWest play. Set scores were 25-17, 15-25, 25-23, 24-26 and 15-9 in favor of FPU.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 3, Hawai'i Pacific 2
Records: FPU (7-10, 5-3 PacWest), HPU (6-10, 4-4 PacWest)
Location:  Fresno, Calif. | Special Events Center
Series: The Sunbirds lead 11-4 against the Sharks
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after hitting .464 in the opening set. With the score 11-11, FPU used a 10-3 run to take control of the set to cruise to the win.
• After HPU answered in the second frame, FPU battled back from a 21-19 deficit to win the third set. Five kills from Caroline Bodziak towards the end of the frame powered the Sunbirds to a 25-23 win.
• FPU fell in the fourth set, but found its rhythm in the fifth to win the match. The 'Birds were propelled to the win by a 5-1 run in the middle of the frame, which was highlighted by three straight kills from Karah Mitchell. FPU closed out the victory with a service ace.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Bodziak led the way with 16 kills on .389 hitting for FPU, while Gabriela Macedo added a double-double of 12 kills (.300) and 10 digs.
• Malerie Crenshaw put down 10 kills (.350), Tiff Wong totaled 24 digs, Greta Dobenecker dished out 29 assists and Christina Tran added 22 assists and four service aces for the Sunbirds.
• FPU hit .464, .500 and .400 in the set victories and .279 overall as a team. The 'Birds also amassed 11 service aces.
• Hawai'i Pacific received a game-high 18 kills from Perla Escobar.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Bodziak matched her career high for kills in the win. The junior also put down 16 kills in a win at Hawai'i Hilo on Sept. 23.
• Wong's 24 digs were a season and career high, which bested her previous mark of 21.
• FPU's .279 hitting as a team was the second-highest total of the year, while the 11 service aces matched a season high.
• The Sunbirds have a season-best three-game winning streak and have now won five of their last six games.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds are back in action on Friday, Oct. 13 against Hawai'i Hilo at 6 p.m.