SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- Biola had its hands full with a tough Westmont team but managed to leave Santa Barbara with a big sweep, winning 28-26, 25-20, 25-15 in a GSAC match on Tuesday night at Murchison Gymnasium.

The Eagles, who made a huge jump in the NAIA Rankings to No. 3 earlier in the day, pick up their fourth-straight victory to improve to 13-4 on the season and to 6-1 in GSAC play. The Warriors fall to 8-8 overall and to 2-5 in conference play.

Biola received a match-high 11 kills from sophomore outside hitter Christine Douglas and nine from junior outside hitter Kim Russell. Senior middle blocker Tavea Hampton added eight kills and three blocks.

The match got off to a gogod start as the two teams played an exceptionally close first set. Biola led 6-1 early on, but Westmont quickly tied the score at seven just a few points later. Neither team was able to get a lead larger than three the rest of the way. Westmont took advantage of a Biola error to earn game point at 24-23, but the Eagles came right back to tie it at 24-24.

The Warriors would have two more game points, the last at 26-25, but Biola would go to Hampton for three straight kills to give the Eagles the first set 28-26.

Trailing 7-6 early in the second set, Biola broke out with an 8-4 run to go up 14-10. Westmont closed the gap and eventually tied the score at 18-18. After exchanging points, the Eagles broke a 20-20 tie by scoring the final five points of the set thanks in large part to three kills by Amy Mosebar to win 25-20.

But that would be it for the suspense in the match as the Eagles quickly jumped out to 12-3 lead in the third set and cruised from there.

Biola hit .272 in the match, but recorded seven blocks and committed just 13 hitting errors overall.

The Eagles return to action on Thursday (Sept. 30), hosting Vanguard University in a GSAC contest at Chase Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.