Phoenix, AZ- Despite the real possibility of doing so, Arizona Christian could not figure out how to beat Menlo on Thursday as they fell 3-2 (25-22, 13-25, 16-25, 25-22, 10-15).  Senior Samantha McCants recorded a team high 14 kills.

There is starting fast and then there is really starting fast.  The Firestorm started really fast as 10 points into the match they held a 9-1 edge.  Two kills by McCants, a kill by Junior Hailey Settle, a block by Junior Deborah White and Senior Brenna Bailey, and a kill from Bailey was a big part of the start.  After building as large as a ten point lead, ACU let MC creep back within two points at 16-14.  But a closing 9-5 run kept Arizona Christian in the lead.

McCants delivered five first set kills on seven swings without an error (.714).

Down 2-0 to begin the second set, Arizona Christian never recovered to even force a tie.

As a team, they managed just six kills in the set.

White put a kill down on the hardwood for the first point of the third set.  But Menlo answered with a 5-0 run to move ahead for what turned out to be the rest of the set.  A service error from the Oaks pulled the Firestorm within two at 10-8.  However, ACU would not get any closer.

Once again White opened a set with a kill- this time the fourth.  Holding an 8-5 advantage, ACU saw Menlo use a 4-0 run to take a 9-8 lead.  Sophomore Toria Siemens delivered back-to-back kills and ACU grabbed the top side of the scoreboard.  Fortunately, the lead did not change hands again as Arizona Christian closed out the set on top.

Bailey notched four kills in the fourth to setup a winner take all fifth set.

In the decisive fifth set, the first four points resulted in two ties.  But the Firestorm could not slow the attack of Menlo from there.  When the fifth set played only to 15 ended, Menlo had put away 12 kills with just one attack error (.423).

The main thorn in the side of Arizona Christian was Menlo's Moea Kekauhoa who finished with a match high 20 kills.

Behind the 14 kills of McCants, Bailey concluded with 12 kills.  Freshman Delaney Harris and Settle both doubled up with 17 assists and 14 digs and 12 assists and 11 digs respectively.  Senior Haley Worden recorded 16 digs.  White was a beast at the net with a career high seven blocks.  Siemens added five blocks herself.

On Saturday, the Firestorm return to Fultz Gym as they host William Jessup at 7:00 pm.