[Box score]
SAN DIEGO - Five-set matches are nothing new to the Point Loma women's volleyball team who has found itself in nine decisive sets this year, and Tuesday's showdown with Azusa Pacific was no different. The Cougars and Sea Lions went to the fifth set and Azusa Pacific used a flawless hitting percentage in the last set to take the match 22-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-22 and 15-11 on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Briana Vieth and
Kelli LeClair led PLNU (9-14, 5-8 PacWest) with 18 and 27 kills, respectively. LeClair recorded her ninth straight match with double figure kills as she slammed down 27 finishers and made just seven errors for a .299 hitting percentage. She added a double-double with 13 digs. Vieth also posted a double-double. She matched LeClair with 13 digs to go along with 18 kills.
Natalie Hamill led PLNU with 51 assists and a .455 hitting percentage (seven kills).
The hitting percentage was key for both teams throughout the match. Each time a team outhit their opponent they won the set. They hit .297 in the first set and .469 in the third, as the Sea Lions never trailed in either.
With the Sea Lions leading 2-1 going into the fourth set Azusa Pacific stormed out of the gates to take leads at 7-1 and 20-12. The Sea Lions then put on an 8-2 run to get within two points at 22-20. The Cougars would pick up three of the next five points however to win the set and send the match to the fifth set.
In the fifth set, APU (18-7, 9-5 PacWest) came out strong again and opened a lead of 11-5 before the Sea Lions found their run. PLNU would rattle off five straight points to get within one point at 11-10. This would be as close as Point Loma would get as the Cougars scored four of next five points to close out the match.
Mattie Shelford led four Cougars in double-figure kills with 19. APU outhit PLNU in the match .273 to .223. With the win APU remained in fourth place in the PacWest Conference. Despite the loss, PLNU remains in eighth place, a half-match up on Hawaii Hilo.
Point Loma is now 3-6 this season in five set matches.
The Sea Lions' homestand will continue on Saturday (Nov. 3) when they welcome in nationally ranked Fresno Pacific for a 1:00 p.m. showdown.
