AZUSA, CALIF. ---  Biola Volleyball was tripped up on the road against their rivals Azusa Pacific, falling to the Cougars 3-0 inside Felix Event Center on Thursday evening.

BU's 10-match winning streak came to an end with a 3-0 (22-25, 8-25, 9-25) loss. The Eagles were behind the eight-ball from the outset as they had to play the match without five regular starters, including their leading defensive player and three of their best attackers.

Biola (19-8, 15-4 PacWest) and Azusa Pacific (18-9, 13-6 PacWest) in the first set started off only a few points from one another. Azusa ended up taking a five point lead at 9-4 as they came ready to play tonight. 

Biola continued to answer back only being down by three 15-18, this team did not back down and competed with Azusa throughout a tight fourth set. After a timeout they won four rallies in a row, taking the lead 21-20. Even though BU closed the gap, the Cougars put together a few more small runs to cap off the set victory at 23-25.

Sophomore Mary McDonnell set a season high tonight of 10 digs for the Eagles and one assist. McDonnell had the opportunity to step up and play libero. Both Brie Nishimura and Emily Smith had six digs, with one block and one assist on the night. 

After just missing set one that could have gone Biola's way, the Eagles had a difficult time responding allowing the Cougars to take set two (25-8) and were again held to single digits in set three (25-9).

The offense was led by veteran Vanessa Garcia with 17 assists and four kills on the night for her team. Garcia is 14 assists shy away from beating her career high of 708 in 2018. 

It was not the Eagles' best game, only recording 25 kills in the match as their rivals held them to .106 hitting percentage, a season low. But BU looks forward to a new day, a new opportunity. 

Biola still has a shot at the conference title and regional berth, getting ready to take on Point Loma (13-12, 9-8 PacWest) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Chase Gymnasium, this is Biola's senior day.

A win for BU and some help from Hawaii Hilo would win Biola the PacWest title. For live stats links and updates check athletics.biola.edu.