(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Volleyball completed an unbeaten opening weekend to PacWest play with a three-set sweep (25-20, 25-16, 25-23) of visiting Academy of Art on Saturday afternoon.
"That team is grinding and they've turned themselves into a really nice program really quickly," Head Coach
Jonathan Scott said of ART U. "They put us to the test and I'm proud of our girls."
Point Loma set a season-high with 13 service aces in the match, as the Sea Lions leaned on their strong service game at key points in each set.
Trailing 16-17 in the first set, Point Loma went on a 4-0 run capped by a pair of
Rosie Cline service aces to retake the lead. Another ace, this time from
Macy Reynolds, clinched the first set for the hosts.
In the second stanza, ART U led 13-12 before Cline finished off another 4-0 streak for the Sea Lions with an ace. Reynolds then served back-to-back aces in a 5-0 run later in the set that gave Point Loma firm control and put the visitors on the brink.
Then in what proved to be the final set, the Urban Knights threatened to prolong the match, leading 17-14 in the third.
Abigail Nua got in on the action with consecutive aces herself to tie the set at 17 apiece. Then at 19 all, Nua's tip kill restored PLNU's advantage before
Sophia Baugh painted the back line with an ace to double the lead.
After the Urban Knights saved two set points and with the Sea Lions leading 24-23, the home side completed the sweep by winning an epic final point that lasted 51 seconds.
Abigail Nua once again led the team in kills with 12, while
Anna Massari and
Mariah Hughes nearly joined her in double figures with nine kills apiece.
Baugh (17) and
Lauren Phillips (13) both dished out double-digit assists, while
Macy Reynolds led the Sea Lions with 12 digs.
"We have a lot of depth in different areas, definitely at the setter position," Scott said. "We've tried a lot of different things and we had something good going today."
Point Loma (5-4 overall) now hits the road for the first time in conference play for a three-match road trip to Hawaii, beginning against Hawaii Pacific on Wednesday at 10 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. HT.
"We got exposed a little bit last weekend," Scott said. "We played some good teams but they found a couple of weaknesses and definitely put the team into the fire a little bit. I think we've come out a little bit more refined. We had two good performances and I'm excited for next week."
