FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team snapped its seven-game skid on Thursday night, as the Sunbirds took down Dominican 3-1 in the PacWest opener. Set scores were 25-22, 20-25, 25-18 and 25-23 in favor of the Sunbirds.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 3, Dominican 1
Records: FPU (2-7, 1-0 PacWest), DUC (1-8, 0-1 PacWest)
Location:  Fresno, Calif. | Special Events Center
Series: The Sunbirds hold a 13-1 all-time lead over the Penguins
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QUOTABLE:
• "Our setters did an outstanding job tonight setting up our attack. We have been really focusing on taking ownership as a team, and tonight everybody handled their role very nicely. As we settled down in the final sets, you saw some effort plays and that's what we have been preaching each day." – head coach Tracy Ainger-Schulte
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds came out behind an energetic home crowd to take the opening set 25-22. FPU trailed 18-13, but stormed back behind a 7-1 run that was highlighted by three kills from Malerie Crenshaw. FPU then closed out the set on a 5-2 run to take the opener.
• DUC stole the second set before the Sunbirds used a solid defensive effort to earn the match victory the final two frames. A 6-0 run, sparked by a Crenshaw kill, in the fourth set gave the Sunbirds the momentum to close out the win.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Crenshaw led the way for FPU with 19 kills on .333 hitting, while also adding three blocks. Kylei Dewar and Caroline Bodziak added 12 kills apiece. Dewar also totaled eight blocks at the net.
• The offense was facilitated by 28 assists from Greta Dobenecker, while Christina Tran added 27 helpers.
• The Sunbirds totaled 81 digs as a team, highlighted by 19 scoops from Sierra LeBeau and 17 from freshman Tiff Wong. Gabriela Macedo chipped in with 13 digs and Dobenecker added 12.
• FPU totaled nine service aces compared to DUC's one.
•  Aimee Steinwand led the Penguins with 14 kills.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Crenshaw's 19 kills were a career best and it also marked the second time this season she finished with double-digit kills.
• LeBeau's 19 digs were also a career high, which was previously at 18 set on Sept. 7. Dewar's eight combined blocks is also a career best.
• Dobenecker leads the team in double-doubles after picking up her sixth on the season on Thursday. It was also her second consecutive double-double.
• FPU has now won 13 sets on the season despite only having two victories to show for it.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds now host Azusa Pacific on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Special Events Center.