Box Score HONOLULU – The feeling around the Chaminade women's volleyball team's camp is that a breakthrough is closer to reality.
Less than 24 hours after putting a scare into new Pacific West Conference leader California Baptist, the Silverswords faced a hot Azusa Pacific squad, which had swept PacWest contender Hawai'i Pacific the previous night.
APU proved to be too much for the Silverswords, who were playing for the third time in as many days, as the Cougars downed the Swords in four, 25-18, 15-25, 25-22, 25-22.
Kim Spring had a double-double for the Swords with 16 kills and 11 digs.
Cassie Rushlow followed with 12 kills while hitting .320.
Reigna Johnson registered six total blocks for Chaminade while
Daniella Montoya had 69 assists along with
Brenda Walker's 14 digs. APU was led by Christy Cain's 12 kills.
After dropping Set 1, the second set proved to be CUH's best of the evening. With a 7-all deadlock, the Swords went on a 13-4 surge. Spring and
Crystal Powell had three kills each during the run, while
Kylee Pedro contributed with a pair of kills and a service ace as the Swords rolled in the Set 2 win.
The Swords battled back after falling behind by as many as six in the third set, but rallied to tie it at 19 as the defense forced five Cougar attack errors. But a 6-3 run would put APU up 2-to-1.
In the fourth set, CUH dug itself a hole, facing a 19-13 deficit. But Rushlow's three kills would help force a 20-all tie. But the Azusa Pacific showed its resiliency with a 5-1 run to close the match.
The Swords' home stand continues Thursday when they face Academy of Art at McCabe Gym. Match time is set for 7 p.m. and can be heard live on goswords.com.
