LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Volleyball's three-match win streak came to an end with a 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 10-15) loss to long-time rival Azusa Pacific at Chase Gymnasium on Friday night.
Biola (7-5, 3-1) and Azusa Pacific (10-4, 5-1) met for the first time this season with the first round of the Cornerstone Cup going to the Cougars. The battle lived up to the hype as both teams traded sets to force a five-set match that ultimately went in favor of Azusa Pacific.
"It's what we expect, these matches are always really tight," commented Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "Azusa Pacific outplayed us in every single category and we were still right there the entire match."
The Cougars, who are currently receiving votes in the latest AVCA Women's Division II Coaches Top-25 Poll, shut the door with a three-point rally to earn the first victory. At one point in the first set, Biola held a six-point lead before Azusa Pacific tied the set 17-17. "I think that if we don't give up the big lead in game one the match would have played out a little differently," said Seltzer.
After suffering the loss in a set that could have gone Biola's way, the Eagles were quick to respond, taking set two 25-23. Both teams would trade off wins in the following sets with Biola taking set four to force a fifth and deciding set.
Although the match lived up to the Cornerstone Cup hype, the Eagles were not on their a-game but still held their own. "I'm proud of them, to play not quite as well as we can play and still force five is better than getting swept," said Seltzer.
Offensively, the Eagles were led once again by Madison Beebe who recorded 15 kills and 12 digs. Beebe's resilience was shown tonight as the outside hitter posted a season-low .118 hitting percentage and still managed to find a way to help her team.
Seltzer liked what he saw from his middle blockers as Biola received a total of 18 kills and 10 blocks from the middle blocker trio of Raegan Tjepkema, Abigail Copeland and Dani Bryant. Tjepkema led the group with 11 kills and three blocks, while Copeland led with five blocks at the net. "As a group the middles played well, it was good to see the production from that spot on the court," said Seltzer.
Vanessa Garcia tied her career-high in assists, logging 42 in the five-set loss. Garcia continues to be an all-around player for her team as the graduate-student chipped in with 19 digs and four kills.
The back-row continues to be anchored by libero Sami Hover who tallied 23 digs. Hover's efforts on defense were supported by Beebe with 12 digs and Abby Brewster who also logged double-digit digs with 10.
While the Eagles did not have their best match, everyone who stepped on the court contributed in one way or another. That's Biola Volleyball. With the match in the books, the Eagles are back to business in Hawaii next week.
Biola prepares for its road trip to Hawaii where the Eagles will open the action at Hawaii-Hilo on October 6. Spectators are not permitted at any of the Hawaii matches. For updates, check athletics.biola.edu
