Box Score
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola played its final tune-up for Thursday's rematch of the 2013 NAIA National Championship match on Tuesday. It was no easy route, as the Eagles had to face No. 25 CSU San Marcos in the second of four consecutive matchups against NAIA Top-25 opponents.
 
The Eagles improved to 3-0 all-time against the Cougars in its third 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-19) sweep. Biola overcame a slow start to its attack to finish with a very efficient and confidence-building win.
 
"I loved it. I though our setters did a great job getting it to the outside," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "CSU San Marcos made a concerted effort to really try to slow the middle down."
 
For the most part CSUSM was successful in eliminate the Eagles' middle blockers from being a major threat, with just 13 of Biola's 42 kills on the night coming from its powerful middles.
 
It is a good thing that there is no shortage of talent on the floor in Seltzer's lineup as Joclyn Kirton, Alyssa Mason and Britta Blaser really strpped it up to carry the attack.
 
Kirton led everyone on the court with her 12 kills and she hit .522 on the night. That trio of outside hitters was attacking with ferocity and accuracy, not committing a single attack error on the night, while combining for 26 kills.
 
"We got to a point where we were really able to get the balls to the outside and those girls rolled," said Seltzer.
 
Biola had to figure out the best approach to this Cougars' defense, so it resulted in a slow first set where the Eagles hit just .176, but once Ashton Arbuthnot and Allison Spencer figured out who and how to set it, the offense got rolling.
 
The Eagles went from hitting .176 with 11 kills to hitting .462 with 19 in set number two. Arbuthnot ended the match with 16 assists and Spencer finished with 22.
 
While the attack took some time getting started, the back row was solid all night long, led by a great effort from Alex Brehaut, who posted 15 digs in the first two sets. Those first 15 kills were tied with or more than she has had in 15 of her full matches this season. She ended the night with 18, marking two straight matches with 18.
 
"I think our team played really well tonight," said Brehaut. "We were really cohesive on the court and showed so much love. It was great."
 
Charley Parker and Jaci Schork also got in on the game in the back row, digging up plenty of CSUSM attacks, forcing them to take 108 swings for just 34 kills, compared to Biola's 97 swings for its 42 kills.
 
The Eagles' blocking game also made a big impact, especially in the second and third sets. They ended the night with 11 total blocks, while the much smaller San Marcos team finished with one.
 
This one is in the books now as Biola improves to 20-4 (9-1 GSAC) on the season. This is its ninth consecutive season with at least 20 wins. The Eagles' eyes turn now to the No. 3 team in the country and the reigning national champions, Texas-Brownsville.
 
Biola hosts the Ocelots in the rematch of the 2013 National Championship this Thursday night inside Chase Gymnasium at 7 p.m. It will be a Biola Red Sea night and all fans are encouraged to don as much of Biola's signature color as possible.
 
"We always look forward to having Brownsville out here in California. It is good tradition," said Seltzer. "It was great playing at their place last year, they had a great atmosphere and really packed their gym. Hopefully we can return the favor and do the same on Thursday."