IRVINE, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball squad rose to the occasion on Tuesday night to take down the talented Azusa Pacific Cougars in four sets.
It marks the first victory for CUI over APU since October of 2017 and was definitely a confidence boost for a young Eagles squad that is coming into its own.
Setter
Brianna Latigue orchestrated the offense with 47 assists. It was the second-most helpers she's handed out this season. The junior was also one of three Eagles with 17 digs on the night, joining libero
Cassidy Gelacio and
Gracie Rowland with solid defensive outings.
VIDEO - CLICK HERE to hear what Latigue had to say about Tuesday's big win
Rowland added 17 kills for a double-double. Meanwhile,
Patience O'Neal placed a team-high 18 kills to go with 12 digs.
Coach
Paula Weishoff was very pleased with how her team responded after losing the first set 25-20. CUI led in the opening stanza 16-15 but APU went on a 10-4 run to take the early lead.
The Eagles rebounded by jumping ahead 5-0 to start the second set. After APU rallied to tie it back up at 10-10... CUI rattled off six consecutive points to regain control and ultimately win set two 25-18.
VIDEO - CLICK HERE to see Rowland's kill that helped CUI take the second set
After that, it was a case of deja vu as CUI won each of the next two sets by that same margin.
Perhaps the most impressive stat line was that
Hannah Tostado hit .526 with 10 kills on 19 swings. In addition to adding a team-best three blocks, she stepped up with timely kills to close out both the third and fourth sets for the Eagles.
VIDEO - CLICK HERE to see Tostado's kill that iced the Eagles victory in the fourth set
Freshman Dani McCasland also provided a spark with a career-high seven kills and three block assists off the bench.
VIDEO - CLICK HERE to hear Rowland's reflection on the breakthrough win
CUI returns to action next Wednesday, April 14 when the Green and Gold visit Biola. That game is slated to start at 6 p.m. in La Mirada.
CLICK HERE for the current CUI women's volleyball schedule.
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