SAN DIEGO – PLNU hosted the second-place Cougars of Azusa Pacific on Thursday night losing in three sets. A back-and-forth first set went in favor of the Cougars 25-22 despite the Sea Lions out blocking them three blocks to zero. Errors plagued PLNU in the second set and they were unable to recover from an early deficit, dropping the second set 25-20. Azusa Pacific found their stride in the third set getting out to an early lead and taking the set and match with a third set score of 25-15.
Holley Persson set the pace for the Sea Lions defensive effort with 12 digs in the first set and 21 digs for the match overall. Jaime Cymbaluk led all hitters with seven kills and a .185 hitting percentage.
 
Team Records
PLNU (8-13, 5-8 PacWest), APU (16-4, 9-3 PacWest)
 
Turning Point
After Point Loma came within one point of the Cougars at 15-14 in the second set, Azusa Pacific went on a 6-1 run to put the set out of reach and swing the full momentum in their favor.
 
PacWest Implications
After dropping their previous two sets the Cougars needed this win to stay firmly in second place in the PacWest now at 9-3. Point Loma still sits at 12^th in the conference with a record of 5-8.
 
Scott's Thoughts:
On out-blocking APU: "We were aggressive in that area, that was something we had really worked on practice."

On keeping up the defense intensity: "We have got to put the ball away more to allow the defense to make plays without as much pressure." 

On facing CBU this weekend: "We are not really worried about whoever we play, we are just trying to somehow replicate the way we practice."
 
Scoring Summary
Set 1: APU 25, PLNU 22
Set 2: APU 25, PLNU 20
Set 3: APU 25, PLNU 15

 
News and Notes
> Holley Persson accounted for 12 digs in just the first set.
> The Cougars are currently sitting just one place out of the top 25 teams in the country. 
> APU leads the all time series 46-41 and the teams sit at 20-20 in matches played at Point Loma. 
> The Sea Lion out-blocked the Cougars 18-9
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions will be on the road at #5 California Baptist on Saturday with first serve at 7 p.m. After Saturday's game the team will have a four-game home stand beginning with Holy Names at home on November 1^st.