(FRESNO, Calif.) PLNU Women's Volleyball came within a point of completing a reverse sweep on the road at Fresno Pacific on Friday night, but the Sunbirds saved two match points before claiming a crucial five-set (25-18, 25-21, 13-25, 15-25, 16-14) PacWest victory over the Sea Lions.
 
Point Loma (11-5 overall, 6-2 PacWest) outperformed Fresno Pacific in nearly every statistical category, and scored nine more points overall, but its second-straight loss dropped the Sea Lions to third place in the conference after they were tied-for-first just a week ago.
 
Meanwhile, Fresno Pacific (9-4, 8-1) strengthens its hold on second spot, just a half-game behind first-place Chaminade.
 
After PLNU lost the first two sets, the Sea Lions dominated sets three and four, winning by double digits in both to force a deciding fifth stanza.
 
Point Loma hit .464 and .345 in the fourth and fifth respectively, while limiting the Sunbirds to .000 and .033 in the same sets.
 
Then after FPU scored the first three points of the final set, a pair of Abigail Nua kills helped PLNU respond with a 5-0 run to take the lead. Point Loma extended its advantage to as many as four, appearing to be in firm control with a 12-8 lead. However, the Sunbirds scored four-straight points to suddenly level the set.
 
PLNU wrestled back control with a Torina Hommes kill and a bad set by FPU to earn double match point, but Fresno Pacific ended the match with a 4-0 run to cap off a wild back-and-forth contest.
 
Nua (23 kills), Lauren Phillips (49 assists), Courtney Dyer (16 digs) and Macy Reynolds (five service aces) led all players in those respective categories. Hommes (13 kills) and Anna Massari tied for the team lead with five blocks apiece.
 
 Point Loma concludes its road trip at Holy Names (8-9, 3-6) on Saturday. First serve in Oakland is scheduled for 6 p.m.