Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Volleyball began round two of Golden State Athletic Conference competition by hosting Arizona Christian on Friday evening. The Eagles dropped a set to the visiting Firestorm but were still able to walk away with a 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-14, 25-13) victory to start off on the right foot.
 
Biola dominated the match in every statistical category in a match that could've very easily been a three-set sweep if not for a few missed opportunities late in their second set loss.

"I think we grew in our ability to be mentally strong," said Assistant Coach Abbie Wright. "I think this team is capable of a lot of really good things, but they need to start believing they are capable of those good things. I think when we are confident we play really well." 

The Eagles exactly doubled the number of kills that the Firestorm put up (58-29) and also at least doubled the number of blocks (11-5) and service aces (10-5). It was great to see the blocking number reach 11 as that has not been the strength of this team as of late. Tonight was the Eagles' first double-digit block performance since Sept. 6.
 
Biola's middles led the charge when it came to the blocking. Ally Forsberg was in on six of the 11 blocks, while Olivia Sorensen had five.
 
The Eagles' team effort helped them dominant the stat sheet from start to finish, but it was the sheer determination of the ACU side that helped lift the visitors to a surprise second set victory. The Firestorm hit -.036 in that set, their worst number in the entire match, but they still managed to turn in a 25-23 victory. It was the first set victory for an ACU team in 10 matches against Biola.
 
The wins significance was severely decreased in sets three and four as the Eagles made quick work of the Firestorm to clinch their seventh GSAC win of the season. Biola won eight of the final nine points in the third and seven of the first 10 in the fourth to really make the difference in the match.
 
Brinley Beresford and Tori Moons did a great job of spreading the ball around for the BU attack as five Eagles ended the match with at least eight kills. Hannah van Warmerdam led the way with 12 kills in a very efficient performance. Stephanie Jewett had another strong evening as well. The sophomore hit from the outside and ended with eight kills on 15 swings to finish as one of three Eagles hitting over .400.

"I thought Stephanie had a really good game. She had some really good swings from the outside, which is outside of her normal position," said Wright. "It was the best I've seen her swing there. I thought that our setters found the right people and I think our middles terminated really well."
 
Biola improves to 16-8 (7-2 GSAC) with the win. Arizona Christian falls to 2-11 (0-9 GSAC) with the loss. The Eagles finish up this weekend of home matches as they host Hope International (10-10, 4-5 GSAC) on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.