AZUSA, Calif.- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (10-6 overall, 9-2 PacWest) used another five-set match to end another long streak, pulling out a road victory over the Azusa Pacific Cougars (11-9 overall, 7-4 PacWest) Friday night at the Felix Events Center.

In what is becoming more regular than unique, the Sunbirds went the distance, even adding a few extra points in a couple of sets, to break a 10 match losing streak against the Cougars.

FPU was powerful throughout the match, but particularly in the opening two sets in which the accumulated 32 kills.

After conceding the first three points, Fresno Pacific marched back on the arm of Makena Ogas as the senior delivered a kill and an ace before Madison Girnius backed it up with a kill for the first Sunbird lead at 4-3.

The lead alternated from there before APU climbed in front 9-6. A kill from Chloe Melis earned side out for Fresno Pacific.

FPU climbed back from the three point deficit multiple times without pulling even. A kill by Corinne Acosta and Melis block set up Ogas' kill that tied the set at 17.

Cambria Waites delivered back-to-back kills to give FPU a 21-19 lead, forcing a timeout by the Cougars.

Catie Speas delivered an ace out of the timeout and FPU scored six of the final seven points for a 25-20 set one victory.

In the second set, the sides traded leads for the early going before FPU's offense kicked into gear. Kills by Ogas, Acosta and Sounart helped stretch the lead to 18- 14 before APU and APU used its second timeout of the set.

Azusa chipped away at FPU's lead on the next two points before Ogas split the block for the important side out.

Azusa Pacific eventually tied the set at 23, causing a pair of FPU timeouts. Fresno Pacific avoided a set point, but the Cougars tied the match at one, taking the set 26-24.

Fresno Pacific trailed 14-10 in the third set before scoring consecutive points. But APU scored the next six prior to an Acosta kill.

Down 20-14, FPU scored four straight points to come within three before APU closed out the set 25-18.

Down 4-3 in the fourth set, the Sunbirds scored five straight points before an APU timeout. But the Cougars responded to tie the set at 8-8. APU would extend its lead to 15-10 before FPU mounted its comeback, again.

FPU found its aggressiveness as they rallied to take a 21-20 lead. The game would swing back and forth, with FPU creating a few set points before finally sealing the set behind Melis and Sounart to win 28-26, forcing a fifth set. FPU delivered 21 kills in the set to power the victory.

The Sunbirds raced out to start the fifth set, scoring five of the first six points. After Azusa's early timeout, the Sunbirds tacked on two more points for a 7-1 lead.
However, the Cougars responded with five straight points of their own to cause Fresno Pacific to use a timeout.

With APU closing in, Acosta forced a tip off the block to preserve an 11-9 lead and keep service with FPU.

APU responded again, tying the set at 13. As the match went back and forth, the Sunbirds created two-match points before closing it out 16-14, earning their first win in Azusa since 2014.

Fresno Pacific extends its streak of playing five-match sets, playing their fourth consecutive after not playing one in the first 12 matches.

FPU was paced by Makena Ogas' 18 kills. Four others joined her in double figures with Cambria Waites delivering 12, Madison Girnius adding 11, and both Melis & Acosta finishing with 10.

The Sunbirds will have little time to rest, traveling to La Mirada for a 1 p.m. contest against Biola on Saturday.