Box Score LA MIRADA --- Biola volleyball returned to the winning column on Friday by routing its rival. The matchup between the Eagles (5-15, 3-9 PacWest) and Azusa Pacific (11-7, 7-4 PacWest) featured a refreshed and anew Biola squad, which took the match in four sets.

Biola entered Friday having lost its last four matches, all by way of a sweep. The Eagles returned to form in the win and scored 25 points in all four sets.

"I wanna cry right now," said Head Coach Brian Failinger. "One of the values of our program is excellence which is basically striving to do the best work you can regardless of the results because we believe it honors the Lord and says something about Him. Our focus has shifted from working hard so we win games to just working hard to figure out how good we can become as players and a team. So tonight, I think we really bought into that well and got that fighting spirit back."

The confidence and playing prowess came soaring back from the first serve of the game. Biola was quickly in the swing of things, owning the lead for the entirety of the first set. APU remained close by throughout but the Eagles staved off every comeback attempt. 16 kills came through for BU, as Kendall Vandertuig led the way with five. The group outhit the Cougars by two and did not allow a single APU ace.

Set number two was a doozy with 12 ties and five lead changes. Neither team could gain firm control, so the set went past the 25-point threshold. APU earned a pair of set-chance opportunities that were thwarted by the Eagles but the third one proved fatal, as the visitors knotted the match at one set apiece.

The Eagles came out fired up for set three, opening up a quick, 6-1, lead and forcing an APU timeout. Biola never let up the rest of the way, never dipping below a lead of at least three points. The BU attack was prolific, landing 14 kills with only two errors for a .400 hitting percentage. In the set, Payton Tully grabbed five kills on only nine swings.

Azusa Pacific looked to bounce back early in set four, beginning with a 4-0 edge. The separation was gone in an instant, as the Eagles responded with a 9-2 run. Vandertuig's serve seemed to go on for ages, racking up five-straight points with help from Tully and Sierra Leopold kills. BU maxed out its lead at seven points in the set on the way to the match victory.

"It's huge. It's huge every year," said Failinger on what it means to defeat APU. "It's a great rivalry with a great crowd and I think that this is a great catalyst hopefully for the rest of the season."

Biola got incredible performances from across the board, including the kills leader, Kendall Vandertuig. The senior laced 19 kills on 57 swings for her second-best total this season. "She (Kendall) is confident and is setting a great example for the rest of the team," said Failinger.

Tully was also electric at the net, posting 15 kills and an excellent hitting percentage of .414. Madison Moore was not far behind either, claiming 10 kills on 23 swings for a .348 hitting percentage.

Hannah Hanson was a star around the court, contributing in every way on Friday. The sophomore delivered 28 assists, seven kills, and five service aces to add to the offense, while also scooping up nine digs on the back end.

Vandertuig scored a third double-double in 2024 with 14 digs for BU. Bri Bellfi was the leader in the back row as the libero, picking up 22 digs.

The service line was a point of strength for BU, compiling a total of 12 aces, while only allowing four from APU.

The Eagles will look to continue their winning ways next Friday when they take on Academy of Art at home at 7:00 pm.