HONOLULU-Using their best offensive night of the young season, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (5-3 overall, 4-0 PacWest) extended their winning streak with a sweep of the Hawai'i Pacific Sharks (0-9 overall, 0-3 PacWest) Friday night inside The Shark Tank.

Five different Sunbirds hit over .400 for the match and Fresno Pacific displayed all the right answers to start their Hawai'i trip 2-0.

"I was very impressed with how we were able to find the court on offense, while not sacrificing power."Fresno Pacific head coach Mike MacNeill said of the opposition.

The home team kept FPU off balance early and energized the crowd in Honolulu. The Sunbirds found themselves down 13-7 in the early going.

"I was very impressed with Hawaii Pacific," MacNeill commented on Hawai'i Pacific. "They were some of the most physical hitters we have seen yet."

FPU remained in a six-point deficit at 13-9 before they found a rhythm offensively.

Makena Ogas had a trio of kills while Cambria Waites, Madison Girnius and Corinne Acosta each added two and the Sunbirds charged back into the set, finally tying the score at 21-21.

FPU seized the momentum and the lead scoring four of the next five points to take the set 25-22.

Fresno Pacific continued the momentum in the second set, scoring nine of the first twelve points without an error while registering four kills on five attempts.

The Sharks quickly turned the tables and overtook FPU at 13-12.

After trading the next six points, Hawai'i Pacific scored three straight, including consecutive aces to take a 19-16.

Chloe Melis earned side out for FPU before Ogas added a kill off the top of the block.

After an error by HPU, Melis stonewalled the Sharks on the outside with a block that tied the set at 19.

Another HPU error gave FPU the lead causing the Sharks to take a timeout. Hawai'i Pacific scored the next two points to flip the lead again.

The Sunbirds offense never stopped in the set, however, as FPU finished as Waites' kill delivered set point before one of HPU's 8 errors in the frame clinched the 25-23 win for Fresno Pacific.

Fresno Pacific staked the early lead, ramping up the offensive attack in the third set. The Sunbirds hit .421 as they marched to a 16-12 lead and caused HPU to take a timeout.

The lead extended to 19-13 before HPU scored the next three points.

Back-to-back kills from Acosta quelled the threat and put Fresno Pacific just four points away from match point.

Acosta would add another kill before Melis closed the match from the middle to seal the sweep at 25-19 in set three.

The Sunbirds closed out the match with one of their best sets of the season offensively. FPU hit .438 in the third with 15 kills and just one error.

Fresno Pacific's .340 attack percentage was also a season best and their season low 7 errors played a key part.

Acosta led the way with 11 kills, closing out the match with a flurry of activity. Ogas set the tempo early and finished the match with 9 kills.

Girnius and Waites each finished with 6 kills.

"I am so proud of our ladies tonight," MacNeill added. "HPU is not an easy place to play but they came and brought it."

FPU progressively improved in efficiency as each of the three sets wore on and their 41 kills are their most in a three-set match this season.

"Credit to our setters, Catie and Ana for their ability to keep HPU defense off-balance," MacNeill said.

Much of the firepower could be credited to the FPU setters and senior Catie Speas recorded her 1,000 career assist at FPU (on her 8^th assist of the night) and finished with 20 total assists in the match.

"Catie earning her 1000 Assists during her time at Fresno Pacific is a special moment that took place within this match," MacNeill said of Speas. "I am proud of Catie and excited to see how she continues to lead this team."
 
The win gives Fresno Pacific a 5-match winning streak and gives FPU a 4-0 mark in conference play for the first time since 2012.

"The grit and resilience for each of our athletes is incredible," MacNeill added. "It starts with their hard work each practice. There isn't a switch you can flip that gives you this confidence, this type of confidence is earned. We have earned the right to be proud and confident so far."

The Sunbirds close out the Hawai'i tour against PacWest favorite, Chaminade, Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (PST) inside McCabe Gymnasium in Honolulu.