SMOKIN' ACES
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Third-ranked California Baptist University handed No. 7 Azusa Pacific its first loss of the season Thursday, dropping the Cougars 3-1 (25-17, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20).
An early charge led by
Bree Rauschenbach's four aces got the Lancers in rhythm as the team took the first two sets in dominating fashion.
“That was huge, it probably set the tone for the match” said CBU Head Coach Ryan McGuyre, referring to the junior middle blocker's string of aces. “I liked the way we played from that point on, especially in those first two games.”
CBU looked to have some of the funk from Tuesday night's near miss against Westmont carry over into the first few points on Thursday, when the Cougars jumped out to a 9-5 lead. Rauschenbach quickly took charge, though, slamming home a quick set from
Nevena Dragovic. After a kill from
Ingrid Carmona, Raushcenbach served up three straight aces drawing a timeout from the Cougar bench. The Lancers would rattle off two more points out of the timeout, including another ace from Rauschenbach, to cap an eight point run and take a 13-9 lead.
CBU would carry that momentum into the second set, winning it 25-18 and pushing Azusa Pacific to the brink of defeat.
A quick night's work was not to be though, and the Cougars rallied to take the third 25-21.
“I wish we could have put this one away in three, but they are a good team and battled back in that third set,” said McGuyre. “Neither of our last two sets were as crisp as the first two.”
The Lancers had a 20-17 lead late in the third, but the Cougars were able to come up with a pair of four point runs to take the set 25-21.
In the fourth and final game it was CBU that had one last run, breaking an 18-18 tie with six straight points.
Jessica Kalama served the team to match point with an ace and
Jelena Dragovic finished it off by sneaking a quick kill past the Azusa Pacific block.
“The serving was the key tonight,” said McGuyre. “Our servers were really aggressive and hitting the zone which kept them out of their system. Serving is the first part of defense and when that's on we are in good shape.”
The Lancers matched their season high with 11 aces Thursday night. Rauschenbach had five of those to go along with her 10 kills. Carmona had 12 kills for CBU and Kalama had nine.
Nevena Dragovic had 43 assists on the night. Kalama also had 19 digs to lead the Lancers.
CBU improves to 14-0 overall and 2-0 GSAC, while Azusa Pacific falls to 12-1, 0-1. The Lancers are back on the road next week, facing Point Loma Nazarene Tuesday and Cal Poly Pomona Wednesday. CBU finishes the week back at home Saturday against San Diego Christian.
