NAIA No. 7-ranked PLNU could not make a 2-0 lead hold up and lost in five sets to tenth-ranked Azusa Pacific Saturday afternoon in Golden Gymnasium (27-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-27, 6-15). The Sea Lions have now dropped three straight GSAC matches to fall to 11-3 overall, 1-3 in conference.

Jill Baker did most of the damage for the Cougars. The senior outside hitter was nearly unstoppable, especially in the latter sets, posting 26 kills, 10 digs and four total blocks. Baker offset terrific all-around performances from sophomore Tabitha Henken and junior Alyssa Pitkin who posted 21 and 19 winners and 19 and 18 digs, respectively, for the Sea Lions. The duo was the lone PLNU players in double-figure points.

Besides Baker, the Cougars picked up 13 kills from Amy Alkazin and 10 from Whittany Radcliffe. A trio of APU players notched at least 10 digs: Robin Portela (20), Julie Wehsener (18) and Baker. Raechel Jones dished out 35 assists in the win.

PLNU employed two setters. Senior Kylie Morel, the team's starter, had 25 assists and 12 digs but was asked to hit more. She ended up with six kills and two blocks. Freshman Natalie Hamil added 26 assists and 10 digs in the tough loss.

The first set could have gone either way. The two squads went toe-to-toe the entire time. After exchanging leads deep into the opener, PLNU moved to set point at 24-23. But the Cougars fought back and pushed the Sea Lions to another set point before a kill from freshman Maddie Dahms gave PLNU a 27-25 win.

The Sea Lions looked to have gained control of the match after taking a 12-5 advantage in the second set. APU wasn't going down quietly, however, and clawed their way back into contention, closing the gap to just four points at 23-19. PLNU righted the ship after a time-out when freshman Stacie Redmond slammed a winner. The Cougars claimed one more point before Dahms ended another set with a kill.

Set three looked a lot like the first, though this time it was the visiting Cougars putting distance between themselves and PLNU late. APU was up 17-15 before they went on an 8-3 run for the 25-18 win and to halve the match deficit.

The Cougar evened Saturday's tilt with a dramatic come-from-behind win in the fourth set. The Sea Lions had a pair of match points but could not finish APU who won behind two more points from Baker.

APU (12-4, 3-1) completed the comeback with a comparatively easy fifth set win.

The Sea Lions helped out the Cougars by hitting for a negative average (-.238) in the final set. PLNU hit .156 for the match while APU hit .214. Azusa's tall front line totaled 17 blocks to 10 from the home green and gold. Alkazin and Ariel Beetstra each contributed six blocks.

PLNU will try to regroup this Tuesday when the travel to crosstown San Diego Christian for a 6pm conference match.