POMONA, Calif. – The FPU volleyball team traveled to Pomona, Calif. to take part in the SoCal Freeway Challenge, competing in matches against CSU San Marcos and Cal Poly Pomona on Friday. The Sunbirds were swept by both the Cougars and the Broncos. 
 
QUOTABLE
"Today was a great day for us in terms of transferring specific systems we have been working on in practice. We are especially proud of our team for leaving everything they had on the court against an undefeated Cal Poly Pomona team tonight." – head coach Shasta Millhollin.
 
GAME 1 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Sunbirds tied the first set at five when the Cougars erupted for a 16-5 run that helped them to a 25-13 set win.
• CSUSM hustled to a 16-10 second-set lead and would go on to take it 25-16.
• FPU trailed 14-9 in the third set but would take advantage of an attack error to go on a 5-0 punctuated by a kill from Lauren Wamsley to tie the set at 14.
• The Cougars used a run to create separation and take the final set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

STATS FROM THE MATCH: 

• Corinne Acosta led the Birds with 15 kills while adding digs.
• Anastassiya Barakhoyeva ran an effective offense, dishing out 19 assists, most on the Sunbirds.
• Chantel Montayre was strong defensively, scooping up a team-high 16 digs.

GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Sunbirds jumped out to an early lead in the opening set when a kill from Kaiessa Sounart put the team up 9-4.
• Makena Ogas capped a quick 4-1 run that put the Blue and Orange 16-12 in the first set.
• The Broncos found a way to mount a comeback on their home court, taking the opening set 25-23.
• CPP took that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 13-8 lead.
• FPU closed the gap to three, however, the home team used a 6-1 run to close out the second set and take it 25-17.
• The Birds gained an early advantage in the third set, emerging with a 7-4 lead in a run that featured kills from Makena Ogas, Chloe Melis, and Izzy Bandy.
• The run came to an end when Wamsley hammered home a kill that put the Sunbirds up 13-7.
• The Broncos scratched their way back to tie the match at 20.
• A late 5-1 run gave the Broncos the edge they needed to take the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

STATS FROM THE MATCH: 

• Acosta put together another double-double, finishing with 10 kills and 10 digs.
• Ogas and Wamsley tied with seven kills, and eight digs each.
• Catie Speas had a strong night, assisting 12 times, three shy of Barakhoyeva's team-high 15.
• Montayre (14), Lauren Ornbaun (11), Barakhoyeva (10), and Acosta (10) made up the four Sunbirds who finished with double-figure digs.

UP NEXT:

• Day two of the SoCal Freeway Challenge takes place tomorrow in Azusa, Calif. The Blue and Orange take on Northwest Nazarene at 10 a.m. and complete the tournament at 3 p.m. against Dominguez Hills.

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