FIRST MATCH BOX SCORE | SECOND MATCH BOX SCORE
AZUSA, Calif. --- The Biola volleyball team ran its record to 4-0 to start the season with a pair of wins to close out the Azusa Pacific Cougar Classic on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles (4-0) opened the day with a 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 25-15 win over Indiana Wesleyan (0-3), then handed Daemen College NY (0-4) a 25-8, 25-11, 25-11 loss to wrap up the day.
In the first match of the day, Biola quickly jumped out to a 15-4 lead over Indiana Wesleyan but had to hang on for a close 25-23 win. The Wildcats tied the score at 23-23 late before a service error and attack error gave the first set to the Eagles.
After taking the second set without much of a problem, Biola again struggled with IWU in the third set. The Eagles took another big lead at 13-5, but a 18-6 run by the Wildcats gave them a 21-19 advantage. Biola would pull within one at 23-22 on a kill by senior outside hitter Kelsey Mitchell and an attack error, but a block and a big kill by Allison Holloway gave the third set to Indiana Wesleyan.
Biola trailed to open the fourth set by a 6-5 count, but went on a long 13-2 run to break the game open. The Eagles would keep the pressure on and cruise to an easy fourth-set victory.
Biola was led by senior outside hitters Jessica Buffum and Meghan Warkentin, who each recorded 14 kills while Mitchell added 10.
In the second match, the Eagles posted a .353 attack percentage and recorded 16 aces in a blowout win over Daemen College of New York. Biola opened things on a strong note, recording 13 kills with no hitting errors in 22 attacks for a .591 attack percentage.
Senior middle blocker Kristen Peterson led the way for Biola with eight kills and no errors in 14 attacks, adding four assists and two blocks. The setting tandem of senior Christina Perkins and junior Abbie Wright combined for a perfect three kills in three attacks with 23 assists, nine aces and 16 digs.
Freshman Christian Woodruff added four aces as Biola matched it highest ace total since the 2006 season.
The Eagles return to the courts on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 29-30), traveling to Irvine for the Concordia University Labor Day Festival.
