BOX SCORE

AZUSA. Calif. --- No. 12 Azusa Pacific University didn't need five games to beat No. 13 Biola on Tuesday night, pulling off a 30-14, 30-26, 27-30, 30-28 win in the first-round of the NAIA Region II playoffs.

Biola drops to 20-12 with the loss while Azusa improves to 21-9 and advances to play the region's top seed, Fresno Pacific.

Sophomore Meghan Scheenstra led the Eagles with 18 kills and added 11 digs, three aces and a solo block.

The Eagles were playing without their second leading hitter in junior Brittany Wing. Junior libero Dani Aigaki, who had surgery just over a month ago, filled in defensively and played well in her first action since the second week of the season.

Biola struggled in the opening game, swinging at a season-low -.139 and committing 12 hitting errors.

The Eagles jumped out to an early lead and were up 8-5 before the wheels came off and Azusa went on a monster 25-6 run to take the game.

In the second game, Biola played markedly better and rallied to take a late lead at 24-21. But again Azusa rallied with five straight points and held on for the narrow victory.

The Eagles were able to take another late lead in game three as they broke a 22-22 tie with a 5-2 run and held on for the victory.

Biola again held a lead late in the fourth game before the Cougars rallied again to tie the game at 22. The two teams traded points until Azusa broke a 27-27 tie with kills by Brianne Huff and Chelsea Morgan. After a sideout, the Cougars put the match away with another kill by Morgan.

Jill Baker led Azusa with 25 kills while Morgan added 21 of her own.

Biola still holds an outside chance to earn a spot in the NAIA National Championships as one of seven wild-cards. Word on that will come next week.