Phoenix, AZ- A full week off between matches gave Arizona Christian a little extra life on Thursday as they won the first set.  But Menlo answered by winning the next three sets including a come from behind third set win and beat the Firestorm 3-1 (25-23, 14-25, 24-26, 17-25).  Sophomore Hailey Settle was the all-around player of the match for ACU as she record a nice triple-double.

The opening set was an outstanding effort of the Firestorm showing some mental toughness as they trailed late but fought back.  The match began with Junior Samantha McCants blasting away for the kill.  Two points later, Settle notched her first kill of the night- giving ACU a 2-1 edge.  Two straight points for Menlo gave them their first lead of the night at 3-2.  However, a kill from McCants and service ace from Settle along with two MC errors pushed Arizona Christian back ahead. The Oaks countered and quickly grabbed the lead again. 

Despite forcing several ties (a total of 10 ties took place in the first set), the Firestorm just could not quite take back the lead- that is until they had their backs to the wall in the set.  Down 23-22, ACU forced a two Menlo errors with a kill from Settle sandwiched in between to give the Firestorm the 25-23 opening set win.

Both Settle and McCants delivered four kills while hitting over .333 in the set.  Junior Alana Kempf (3 kills), Sophomore Deborah White (2 kills), and Sophomore Mariah Kempf (2 kills) all delivered an errorless hitting set.

Set two was all Menlo beginning to end.  In fact, the Oaks opened the set with a 10-0 run.

In the third set, two kills from McCants and kill from Settle played a big role in ACU jumping out a 5-1 lead.  Arizona Christian maintained the lead and actually built as large as a seven point advantage at 13-6.  The Oaks climbed back to get within one before the Firestorm appeared to take control of the set as they led 22-18.  They were even knocked on the door of set point as they were up 24-22.  Unfortunately, Menlo forced two ACU hitting errors before closing the set with a kill.

McCants accounted for six kills in the third set.

A service ace from Senior Kailaa Heaney and kill from A. Kempf contributed to the Firestorm taking a 4-2 lead.  However, a 8-0 Menlo run completely took the wind out of the Arizona Christian sails.  Both teams went through the motions the remainder of the match.

At the end of the night, McCants topped the Firestorm with 18 kills.  Settle was the Firestorm lady of the match though as she recorded an impressive 10 kills, 17 assists, and 15 digs.

Sophomore Morgan Stevens delivered a match tying high of 18 digs.

Menlo's Maggie McDonald was the unstoppable thorn in the side of the Firestorm as she notched 27 kills while hitting .615.

On Saturday, the Firestorm will close out their season as they host William Jessup for an early afternoon 1:00 pm match.  Arizona Christian will honor their lone Senior out of eligibility- Kailaa Heaney- before the match.