AZUSA, Calif. – The FPU volleyball team concluded the opening weekend of PacWest Conference with a road match against Azusa Pacific University on Saturday afternoon as the preseason favorite Cougars toppled the Sunbirds, as they took the set 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-23). 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• APU started strong and rode the momentum to take the opening set 25-9. 
• Another quick-start aided the Cougars in the second set as they jumped out to a 12-5 lead over the Sunbirds.
• Makena Ogas had a kill that sparked a 7-3 for the 'Birds that pulled them to within two. 
• The Cougars answered with a run of their own that lifted them to a 25-15 set win. 
• After trailing 7-3 in the third set, Lauren Wamsley got FPU started on their 5-0 run to take an early 8-7 lead.
• The Blue and Orange traded points before settling on a tie at 23. 
• APU found the final two points they needed to close out the set 25-23 and the match 3-0. 

STATS FROM THE MATCH: 

• Corinne Acosta, Ogas, and Wamsley tied for a team-high seven kills. 
• Montayre led the defense with 15 digs while adding two aces. 
• Chloe Melis was tough at the net with four block assists.  

BEYOND THE BOX

• Azusa Pacific was selected to win the PacWest Conference for the third time in a row in this year's PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll.
• The Cougars are receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's DII Women's Top 25 Coaches Poll.

UP NEXT:

• The Blue and Orange play on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in San Francisco against Academy of Art. 

SOCIAL:  

• Twitter - @fpusunbirds  
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds   
• Facebook - /FPUathletics  

#TeamFPU