FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team played host to Simpson for two games on Wednesday afternoon, taking the opener 3-2 before duplicating the 3-2 victory in the nightcap. The Sunbirds are now 4-0 on their home floor this season and have won four of their first six games overall. 
 
QUOTABLE:  

• "I'm really proud of the team. It's very difficult to win a five set match in general, but to do it in the same day is impressive. We were forced to adapt with our lineups and try some things we haven't had a chance to work on yet, and we were still able to find success. It's almost hard to find words to describe how hard our team fought and work toward the result we wanted. I'm just very proud of our team. " – head coach Shasta Millhollin 

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

• The Redhawks took the first set of the day 25-23, but the Sunbirds answered with a 28-26 victory in the second. 
• Simpson won the third set 25-22 to put themselves back in the driver's seat, but FPU again stormed back with a 25-19 win to make it 2-2. 
• The two teams went back-and-forth in the deciding fifth set, with the Blue and Orange outdueling their guests to a 19-17 victory. 
• Fresno Pacific took the first set of the finale by a score of 28-26, before Simpson even the match with a 25-22 set win.
• The third set belonged to the 'Birds, as they escaped with a 25-23 set win. The visitors answered by taking the fourth set 25-22.
• In the deciding set, the Sunbirds put together a 15-10 performance that sealed the sweep of the doubleheader. 

STATS FROM THE DAY:  

• In the opener, Chantel Montayre racked up a game-high 38 digs, while Corinne Acosta and Makena Ogas combined for 45 kills. 
• Setters Lauren Ornbaun and Catie Speas totaled 45 assists, with both recording a double-double in the victory. 
• Speas continued her strong play in the second match, racking up 26 assists, 12 points and 11 digs, completing the first triple-double of her career with the Sunbirds.
• Anastassiya Barakhoyeva led everyone with 20 kills, while adding 19 digs in a strong showing.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:  

• Each opponent in FPU's last five games have come from the CalPac Conference. 
• In total, today's matches featured 74 ties and 33 lead changes.

UP NEXT:  

• The Sunbirds return to the floor on March 5, when they visit La Sierra in Riverside. Stay tuned to Sunbird Social and FPUAthletics.com for all schedule updates.  

 
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