(LA MIRADA, Calif.) PLNU Volleyball entered the final week of the regular season ranked ninth in the West Region, as the Sea Lions attempt to make a case for one of eight spots in the upcoming NCAA Regional.
 
That case took a major hit with a four-set defeat at Biola on Thursday night (18-25, 25-19, 23-25, 18-25).
 
Point Loma was unable to recover from a 6-1 Biola start to the opening set, but rebounded to level the match by winning the second stanza while holding the Eagles to a 0 hitting % in the set.
 
Trailing 4-7, PLNU utilized a 7-0 run on Jordyn Moriarty's serving to take an 11-7 advantage. Biola then responded with five-straight points of its own to regain the lead, but the Sea Lions pulled away late and claimed the set with a 4-0 streak to close out the set on a Macy Reynolds ace.
 
The third set appeared to be going PLNU's way, with Point Loma leading 19-16, before Biola tied the set with three-straight points. An Eagles' 4-0 run then helped the home side earn double set point at 24-22.
 
An Anna Massari kill saved the first of two set points, but the Sea Lions couldn't save the second, with Biola putting Point Loma on the brink.
 
Biola then raced out to a 13-5 advantage in the fourth, before doubling up PLNU's score at 16-8. The Sea Lions fought back to get to within two at 17-19, but the Eagles scored six of the next seven points to close out the match.
 
Abigail Nua led PLNU with 16 kills, while Massari posted a stat line of 10 kills and five blocks. Lauren Phillips dished out 33 assists, with Courtney Dyer tallying 21 digs.
 
With the loss, Point Loma (19-8 overall, 14-5 PacWest) drops to third in the PacWest standings, a game behind second-placed Fresno Pacific.
 
The Sea Lions close out the regular season against Azusa Pacific on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Golden Gymnasium. PLNU will honor seniors Dyer and Alexis Soncrant before the match as part of Senior Day.