FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific opens PacWest play this week with two home matches at the Special Events Center.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Match #9
vs Dominican (1-7, 0-0 PacWest)
Thursday, Sept. 14 • 6 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Special Events Center
Live Stats • Video
 
Match #10
vs Azusa Pacific (7-1, 0-0 PacWest)
Saturday, Sept. 16 • 3 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Special Events Center
Live Stats • Video
 
ABOUT THE SUNBIRDS
• FPU has struggled in the early going of the season, as the Sunbirds currently sit at 1-7 overall. FPU won its season opener against Adelphi 3-1, but have since suffered seven-straight setbacks.
• The Sunbirds are averaging 16.53 digs per set as a team, which ranks fifth in the PacWest, but are hitting .120 as a team.
• Since FPU joined the PacWest in 2012, the Sunbirds are 3-2 in conference openers. The last victory to start conference play came in 2015 against Dominican in Fresno.
 
FPU LEADERBOARD
• Kills per set: Karah Mitchell (2.94)
• Blocks per set: Malerie Crenshaw (0.81)
• Digs per set: Sierra LeBeau (3.48)
• Assists per set: Greta Dobenecker (5.12)
• Aces: Mitchell (11)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS
• Dominican enters league play at 1-7 overall and has lost three straight. The Penguins lone win came against Simon Fraser at the West Region Showcase.
• DUC was picked seventh in the preseason poll, while senior outside hitter Aimee Steinwand was named to the Preseason All-PacWest Team.
• The Penguins have struggled offensively to start the year, hitting .140 as a team. The defense has produced 16.64 digs per set, which ranks fourth in the league. Steinwand paces the attack with a 3.46 kill per set average, while Hana Wyles produces 4.18 digs per set.
 
SERIES HISTORY
• The Sunbirds hold a 12-1 all-time mark against the Penguins. DUC earned its first win against FPU last year on Sept. 19 in Fresno, 3-2. FPU took the second meeting in San Rafael 3-1 on Nov. 12.
 
ABOUT THE COUGARS
• Azusa Pacific is currently riding a two-game winning streak and sits at 7-1 on the season.
• APU, who hosts Point Loma on Thursday, was picked fifth in the preseason poll and received one first-place vote.
• The Cougars are tall and athletic in the middle and lead the league in blocks per set at 2.55. The offense hits .202 as a team, good for sixth in the league.
• Madison Ogas leads the way with 2.83 kills per set, while Sara Wagenveld adds 1.43 blocks per set.

SERIES HISTORY
• FPU holds a dominant 64-14 all-time mark against APU. The Cougars took the last meeting on Nov. 5 in 2016 by a score of 3-2.

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