AZUSA, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team began their final Mainland road trip of the season Tuesday, falling in straight sets to Azusa Pacific, 25-21, 25-15, 25-22, in a Pacific West Conference match at the Felix Event Center.
Cassie Rushlow and
Reigna Johnson led the Silverswords (12-14 overall, 5-11 Pac West) with nine kills each while Johnson also added five combined blocks.
Valentina Bevilacqua and
Ka Ua Cale had 13 and 10 assists, respectively.
Athena Maskarich posted nine digs with
Natashya Enos adding eight.
Alicia Utke led the Cougars (12-13, 8-8) with 14 kills.
The Silverswords demonstrated fighting spirit late in the first set. Down 22-18, the 'Swords got a pair of block assists from
Suncica Bakic and
Ku`ulei Lynch, as well as Johnson and Rushlow and also a bad APU set, drawing the 'Swords closer to 22-21. But the Cougars retook the momentum as they closed out the set to go up, 1-0.
After dropping the second set, the 'Swords came firing out of the gate to begin Set 3, taking an 11-8 lead with the help of two kills each from Rushlow and Johnon. A 6-1 run gave APU its first lead of the set, but Chaminade stormed back with four consecutive points by forcing three Cougar attack errors and getting a service ace from
Darcie Horiuchi to retake the advantage at 16-14. But in front of their home court, the Cougars rallied yet again, pulling away to win the set and match.
Despite the loss, Chaminade out-blocked Azusa Pacific, 7-5, the fourth time in the last seven matches the Silverswords have out-blocked their opponent. They also added four service aces, giving them a conference-leading 180 on the season.
The 'Swords' road trip continues Wednesday when they face California Baptist. First serve is set for 5 p.m. HST.
