Box Score AZUSA, Calif. — It is often hard to predict the outcome in rivalry matches and it showed in the California Baptist University and Azusa Pacific series this season.
The Lancers swept the Cougars on their home floor back in October, but APU got the 26-24, 25-23, 25-20, sweep in the Felix Event Center Wednesday evening. Despite the sweep, it was a close and hard-fought match, with CBU holding set-point in the opener and trailing by just one, 24-23, in the second.
CBU outside hitters
Michelle Waber and
Lauren Hackett shined with 14 and 12 kills, respectively. Hackett hit at a .333 mark and Waber was not far off at .324. APU had a hot hand, as well, and attacked at a .310 mark as a team to improve to 14-14, 10-9 in the PacWest. The Lancers moved to 15-12, 11-8.
It went back and forth in the first set, with CBU using a 6-0 run to take a 15-11 lead on two kills from Hackett, a spike from Waber and an ace from
Becky Moodie—who finished with a team-high 13 digs. APU rebounded with a 9-5 run that gave it a 20-18 advantage and kept a two-point lead, 22-20, late before the Lancers moved back in front, 23-22, on kills from Waber and
Lauren Marr (eight kills). CBU worked its way to set point, 24-23, on a Marr kill before the Cougars sped away with the win on a 3-0 spurt.
APU took a three-point lead in the second set, 18-15, and held the Lancers off from there. CBU launched a comeback attempt and pulled within 24-23 with a 4-1 run marked by consecutive kills from Waber and Marr, but the Cougars squeaked out the last point to take a two-set advantage.
In the third set, APU raced out to a 15-7 cushion before the Lancers roared back with a 10-2 run to tie matters at 17-17. Hackett and
Jessica Harris each had two kills in the spurt, but the Cougars separated itself again on a 5-1 run to give them enough cushion to defeat CBU.
CBU will play its final match of the season Friday at Fresno Pacific with a 7:00 p.m. start time.Â
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