BOX SCORE
AZUSA, Calif. --- Biola wrapped up its first season-sweep over arch-rival Azusa Pacific University since 2003 with a 30-27, 30-26, 30-22 win in a GSAC match on Tuesday night at the Felix Events Center in Azusa.
The Eagles, ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA National Poll, improve to 27-5 overall and 14-5 in GSAC play while the No. 5-ranked Cougars fell to 20-9, 11-8 in conference action.
Biola played a strong, balanced game with six different players recording five or more kills. Junior Jessica Buffum had 10 kills to lead the Eagles with junior Kelsey Mitchell adding eight kills.
The Cougars main offensive weapon came in the form of sophomore outside hitter Jill Baker, who had 22 kills–nearly half of Azusa Pacific's 46 on the night.
Biola never trailed in the entire match, taking the crowd of 440 mostly APU fans out of the game. The Eagles opened the first game on a 7-2 run and led 13-12 midway through. But Biola used a 10-3 run to break open the match and take a 23-15 lead. The Cougars closed the gap to just one at 27-26, before a kill by Meghan Warkentin and back-to-back kills by Buffum gave the Eagles the game 30-27.
In the second game, the Eagles again jumped out to an early lead at 15-8 including three-straight kills by Mitchell. Again, the Cougars closed the gap to just one late in the game at 26-25, but the Eagles closed out the game scoring four of the final five points for the victory.
Game three was all Biola as the Eagles opened up a 19-10 lead, lead by as many as 11 points at 26-15 before settling for the 30-22 win.
With the victory, Biola likely wraps up fourth place in the NAIA's Region II meaning the Eagles will host a first-round playoff game on Tuesday (Nov. 13) with a trip to the NAIA National Championships on the line. Biola's opponent in the game would likely be a familiar foe: Azusa Pacific University.
However, the Eagles still have one remaining regular season contest and it could be a big one. Saturday (Nov. 10) Biola hosts No. 2-ranked California Baptist University at 7:00 p.m.
