A Reverse Sweep To Open GSAC Action
Fullerton, Calif.- After dropping the first sets, Arizona Christian countered by winning the next three sets over Hope International to open GSAC action. Deni Jackson led the Firestorm with 13 kills.
Match Info
Match scores
Set 1: HIU 25-15
Set 2: HIU 25-20
Set 3: ACU 25-21
Set 4: ACU 25-20
Set 5: ACU 15-13
Records: Arizona Christian – 4-5, 1-0 GSAC, Hope International – 1-8, 0-1 GSAC
NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian – not ranked, Hope International – not ranked
Location: Darling Pavilion, Hope International University, Fullerton, CA
ACU Stats
Deni Jackson – 13 kills
Kaeleigh Gibson – 10 kills, 19 digs
Brittnie Henige – 7 kills
Caitlin Chan – 37 assists
Nikole Lunsford – 22 digs
Gertie Savitch – 22 digs
Inside Box Score
HIU jumped out early before blocks by ACU tied the score at 5-5 and then 7-7
A service ace by Krysta Petersen gave the Firestorm their only lead at 8-7
The Royals closed out the set on an 18-7 run
Set two started in favor of ACU 3-0
But after HIU moved ahead, ACU could only force one tie
Behind 6-2 in the third set, the Firestorm surged in front with a 6-0 run keyed by two aces from Savitch
Two more blocks pushed ACU ahead for the remainder of the set
Tied 14-14 in the fourth set, Katy Shockey delivered a kill to keep the Firestorm ahead and force the fifth set
In the final set, the teams forged an 11-11 tie
Kills from Jackson, Gibson and Chan gave the Firestorm the match
Friday’s reverse sweep was the second year in a row that ACU accomplished the feat at HIU
Thoughts from Coach Briscoe
“Thankful to walk away with our first conference win in a tight 57 match pulling off the reverse sweep. It was not a pretty win but it was a team effort. Our athletes dug deep and finished strong and I am proud of that.”
Up Next
The Firestorm will stay in So Cal to face Life Pacific on Saturday. First serve in San Dimas will come at 2:00 pm.
