LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's volleyball team bounced back in a big way Friday night in the second day of the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase.
The No. 23 Golden Eagles, still stinging from a heartbreaking five-set loss on Thursday night to Central Washington, roared back and swept Azusa Pacific, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19, Friday night in University Gym. Cal State LA (3-4) improved to 2-1 in the tournament, which concludes with four more matches on Saturday.
In other matches on Friday, Hawaii Pacific beat Cal State East Bay in four sets, Azusa Pacific edged Central Washington in five sets and Alaska beat Hawaii Pacific in five sets.
The Golden Eagles turned in an impressive performance on Friday to pick up an important West Region win.
Karla Santos had 14 kills and seven digs for Cal State LA, while
Daisy Crenshaw had nine kills in 15 swings for a .533 hitting percentage and also added four blocks.
Cal State LA had a 40-26 edge in kills in the three sets and hit at a .200 percentage to .051 for the Cougars. Cal State LA also had a 9-7 advantage in blocks and recorded nine service aces.
Alejandra Negron led the way with four, while
Shea McGovern had three.
Jeshmarie Suarez had a team-high 13 digs, while
Laisa Maeda had 21 set assists and McGovern had 13.
The Golden Eagles led for most of the first set and took the lead for good after a kill by Santos, a service ace by McGovern and a block by
Victoria Duarte gave them a 16-13 lead. The Golden Eagles held a 20-18 lead, but took the set behind an ace by Negron, a block by Crenshaw, a kill by Santos and an ace by Negron.
The Golden Eagles raced out to a 22-14 lead in the second set, but had to hold off a determined Azusa Pacific rally. The Cougars pulled to within a point at 23-22, but a block by
Mickayla Sherman and Crenshaw and a block by
Julia Azevedo and Crenshaw gave the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles trailed midway through the third set, but back-to-back kills from Azevedo and a kill from Crenshaw opened up a 20-16 lead. Azusa Pacific stayed within striking distance at 22-18 before a kill by Crenshaw and a block by Duarte and Santos got the Golden Eagles to match point. After the Cougars staved off one match point, a Santos kill ended the contest.
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Cal State LA will conclude play in the tournament on Saturday against Hawaii Pacific at 5 p.m. Tournament play begins at noon.
