FRESNO, Calif. – The FPU volleyball team wrapped up the second day of the Sunbird Classic with a dominant sweep of UC Merced (25-15, 25-15, 25-20). Combined with their opening-day wins, the Sunbirds rolled through the weekend with a 3-0 record under their belt.

Strong performances came from returning attackers Geneva Elliott (MB), Rachel Plantinga (OH), and Makayla Smith (OH). Elliott led the offense with 10 kills, Plantinga and Smith both tallied seven for the match. Cambria Waites and Mikayla Weiss controlled the tempo of the game, taking advantage of dumping opportunities against the Bobcats. Weiss contributed 26 assists and had two clever kills overall.

In the first set, FPU took charge and made an impressive lead between the two teams. It wasn't until the 15-7 mark that the Bobcats responded. Despite their efforts, the Sunbirds capitalized on the wide gap and secured the first set with a score of 25-15.

The 'Birds contested with the Bobcats, staying neck and neck in the first points of the second set. A tremendous kill from freshman middle blocker Addison McKarcher set the momentum in the Sunbirds' favor, making it 6-6.

A quick dig to the left side nearly caught middle blocker Elliot off guard, before she sent a perfect set to outside sophomore Smith, who smashed it through the block. UC Merced made several attempts to slow down the Birds progress, but it wasn't enough.

Outside hitter Plantinga swung hard on an overpass to grant the Sunbirds the lead, 13-8. In true Sunbirds' style, Elliot captured the last two points of the set with one impressive solo block on the right side and a quick kill that couldn't be defended.  

At the start of the third, newcomer Itzel Aguayo got in on the action with back-to-back points, one sharp kill to the setter and a block to make it 7-4. Cambria Waites brought the crowd to their feet with a monumental kill down the line to make it 14-9 for the Sunbirds. The visiting Bobcats did not go down without a fight, responding with a few blocks and deep shots of their own.

In the end, the Bobcats made a daring comeback (20-23), but Fresno Pacific took care of business to seal a perfect tournament weekend for the 'Birds.

"This weekend is so much more than just about the wins. We were able to put out multiple lineups and see how they worked and everyone performed," said head coach Kelsee Montagna. "I've said it from the very beginning, this group is special not because of their on court performance but because of who they are as people and teammates. They are each others biggest fans. It's team first, always. With that being said, we have been able to get a list of things that still needs work--the beauty of the sport. We always keep growing."

NEXT UP: The Sunbirds will be on the road until September 20^th. The next stop for the Blue and Orange is at the SFSU Gator Classic, where it will take on Western Oregon at 12 pm on Friday, September 12th. Then on Saturday the 13th, there will be matches against Cal State East Bay at 11 am and tournament host, SFSU at 6 pm.


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