SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma women's volleyball team found itself in another tightly contested PacWest match on Wednesday, and unfortunately they came up on the short side, losing in five sets to Biola, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 and 15-12. (Apr. 7)
 
Point Loma played shorthanded in the match as only eight student-athletes suited up for the match, but the Sea Lions were never out of any set, except the second. They either led or were tied with seven points to go, however, those final points alluded them in the most critical moments. After coming back from a 19-17 deficit to win the first set by scoring eight of the final 10 points, PLNU dropped the second set to tie the match at 1-1. Point Loma then trailed 18-17 in the third set, before it scored five straight points behind Amy Buffini's serve and going on to win 25-22.
 
The fourth set was tied at 18-18, but this time it was Biola's turn to make the late run. The Eagles scored seven of eight points during one stretch to take the lead and earn the 25-21 win and push the match to a fifth set. In the fifth set, PLNU jumped in front 6-3 before Biola fought back to tie the match at 8-8. The Eagles then put together a 4-1 run to go up 12-9 and the Sea Lions were unable to take back the lead.
 
Amy Buffini posted her first career-double in the match with career-highs in kills (11) and digs (24). Rachael Schlect led all scorers with a match-best 13 kills Anna Massari added 11 kills of her own and matched her career-high with seven blocks. Claire Smith led the team with 30 assists, and Maggie Wolf added 11. Madison Beebe and Raegan Tjepkema paced Biola with 11 kills apiece.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (1-3, 1-3 PacWest) Biola (3-2, 3-1 PacWest)
 
Words from coach Jonathan Scott
On Biola: "They are always going to show up no matter what lineup they put out there. They do a lot of things really well, and unfortunately tonight we were not consistent."
 
On the Sea Lions' effort: "I am proud of each and every one of them putting forth a level of focus. Some had to play four positions in one match. That was me putting them in tough spots but we are doing it for the future."
 
On learning opportunity from a close match: "I am not sure the right answer to that. It either hurts bad enough and we start to win by desire and sure will, or it doesn't help us because we keep losing the tight ones."
 
Scoring Summary
Set 1: PLNU 25, Biola 21
Set 2: Biola 25, PLNU 17
Set 3: PLNU 25, Biola 22
Set 4: Biola 25, PLNU 21
Set 5: Biola 15, PLNU 12
 
News and notes
> The match featured 39 ties and 20 lead changes
> PLNU used three different liberos
> The team that hit the higher percentage won all five sets

Up Next
Point Loma will face Azusa Pacific on the road next Wednesday (Apr. 14) at 5 p.m.