Riverside, Calif. – The La Sierra University Volleyball team picked up their third win, beating Fresno Pacific University in five sets, 3-2 (25-23, 16-25, 25-23, 15-25, 17-15).
The Thursday afternoon matchup was a was nail-bitter, as both teams clawed for the win. The Golden Eagles would strike first, but the Sunbirds scored two points later and so it went, staying within one or two points the entire set. The Golden Eagles held on for the set win 25-23.
In the second set, the Golden Eagles took the lead, but it would be short lived as errors creeped in, allowing the Sunbirds to capitalize and widening the score by nine as the set ended 16-25.
In the third set, the Golden Eagles picked up their game scoring the first three points, but it wouldn't be long until the Sunbirds answered back with a point of their own and then went on a 4-0 run. From there the score bounced back and forth, until the Golden Eagles were able to secure the set win 25-23.
In the fourth set, the Sunbirds would strike first, unnerving the Golden Eagles. Moments later, the Sunbirds would go on a 7-0 run, while the Golden Eagles took a time out to regroup. Unfortunately, the Sunbirds' momentum was too much for the Golden Eales and the set ended in their favor 15-25.
In the fifth and final set, the Golden Eagles scored first, but the Sunbirds answered back with the next point. The Golden Eagles would then take three points, but just like most of the match thus far, the Sunbirds answered back with three more points of their own. The score then alternated back and forth until the Golden Eagles were able to string the 14th and 15th points together. The Sunbirds answered back once again to tie it up, 15-15. But, the Golden Eagles would take the final two points, ending the set with a score of 17-15 and winning the match 3-2.
The Golden Eagles had 58 kills on the night with numerous players in double digits; Bailey Coffin and Adiva Joseph both had 12, followed by Michele Mendizabal with 11 and Alexa Lister with 11.
Setter, Tamia Cephus had 29 assists on the night, with Brittani Bentley adding another 19 of her own. Veronica Ramirez had a hand in 5 blocks, 2 of which were solo and Libero Trinity Wyscarver came up with 28 digs.
The team had a total of 10 service aces, three apiece for Bailey Coffin, Tamia Cephus, and Michele Mendizabal.
Next up, the Golden Eagles host Providence Christian College, March 10.
