GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.-Super senior Makena Ogas helped the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (2-3 overall) off to a terrific start in a four-set win over the Adams State Grizzlies (1-4 overall) on the first day of the at the 2023 DoubleTree by Hilton Maverick Fall Classic Thursday.

"That was a fun match across the board," Head Coach Mike MacNeill said after the win. "We came out a bit flat but battled back into the match in the second set and held onto the energy."

Ogas was a constant threat as the Sunbirds bounced back after a quick first set.

After falling 25-14 in set one, the Sunbirds bounced back in set two with an emphatic 25-15 victory.

Fellow super senior Corinne Acosta, who had six kills after the first two sets, tallied four of those in set 2, including the first and last points that made the match even at one set a piece.

The 'Birds gained control in the third set behind the arm of Makena Ogas. The super senior delivered five kills in the first 16 FPU points as the Sunbirds held a 16-10 lead.

Adams State cut the difference in half, but Amanda Lauer and Claire Corippo bookended an error to give FPU three consecutive straight points.

Corippo added another kill and a service ace by Caite Speas put FPU in striking distance of taking set two before Acosta pummeled another point from the outside. Speas punctuated the set with a second ace to give FPU a 25-17 win and a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth set, the 'Birds fell behind 3-0 and 4-1 before roaring back with five of the next six points to take a 6-5 lead. Madison Girnius and Ogas combined for kills on the run.

After Adams State regained the lead, Ogas responded with another kill to tie it at 7-7.

Fresno Pacific built momentum from there with four different players registering kills in a 9-5 run.

Up 16-12, Ogas partnered with Geneva Elliott and Madison Girnius for a pair of block assists and added another pair of kills as FPU went up 20-15.

Adams State pulled within two forcing an FPU timeout and would eventually take the lead.

But Lauer delivered a kill off the block to tie the set at 21.

Adams State would go on to take force set point twice, but Girnius came through with a kill, an attack error by ASU, and Corippo crushed a kill that turned it quickly to match point for FPU.

Adams State last attempt went wide, and Fresno Pacific secured the 26-24 win to take the match in four sets.

"I am proud of the team and the work they are putting in," MacNeill added. "And thankful to see the results start to come our way."

Ogas led FPU with 14 kills while Acosta and Corippo added 8 kills each. Girnius and Lauer tacked on six each with Lauer starting the match with five kill errorless streak.

The 'Birds defense adjusted fast as well. After ceding 16 kills in the opening set, FPU allowed an average of 9 kills in the final three sets and stifled Adams State to a .150 attack percentage for the match.

"We have a big day tomorrow," MacNeill concluded. "We are looking forward to competing as a team."

FPU will take on both Colorado Mesa and Dallas Baptist University on Friday. Both games can be viewed for free on the RMAC Network.

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