Box Score PHOENIX --- Senior outside hitter
Christine Douglas has a match-high 15 kills and sophomore middle blocker
Amy Weststeyn added 13 kills and a .500 attack percentage to lead No. 4 Biola to a 25-16, 25-19, 25-21 win at Arizona Christian University in a GSAC match Tuesday night.
The Eagles improve to 17-1 with their 16th-straight win, moving to 4-0 in GSAC play. The Firestorm falls to 7-10 overall and to 0-4 in the conference.
Biola posted a solid match after the long drive--its first trip to Arizona since the 2005 season. The Eagles hit a respectable .324 against a tough Arizona Christian side which battled throughout.
Biola got off to a strong start in the first set, using a four-point run to take an 11-6 lead. The Firestorm hung around and closed to within two at 12-10 before the Eagles took control with a 7-1 run led by three kills from senior middle blocker Rachel Buckley. The teams traded points the rest of the way and Biola won 25-16.
The Firestorm came out strong in the second set, roaring out to a 9-4 lead. Biola responded with a quick 8-3 run to tie the score at 12-12. The teams continued back and forth until the Eagles broke a 16-16 tie with a 21-17 lead with the bulk of kills coming from freshman Joclyn Kirton. Buckley closed out the set with a solo block and a kill for the 25-19 win.
Arizona Christian again came out strong and took an early 8-5 lead. The Eagles still trailed 11-8, but used a 10-3 run to take control of the set and cruise from there.
Buckley had eight eight kills and three blocks including two solo to move her into ninth place all-time in blocks at Biola with 285. She is just one behind the eighth-place person.
Junior libero Tara Rallis had a team-high 21 digs while junior setter Gracee Gallarda led the Eagles with 29 assists and added eight digs, an ace and a block.
Biola returns to action on Saturday, hosting No. 5 Westmont College in a GSAC clash at Chase Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. The Eagles will be taking time out during the match to recognize Ovarian Cancer Awareness month by raising money to help fight cancer. Fans are encouraged to make a donation by purchasing a raffle ticket for a prize package given away during the game.
