Phoenix, AZ- Playing in front of their largest crowd of the year after honoring the ACU seniors, Arizona Christian and The Master's enjoyed a playoff type atmosphere as the Mustangs edged the Firestorm 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 25-22, 27-25) on Thursday.  Junior Jackie Stein accounted for 14 kills and 18 digs.

With the teams beginning the match tied in the standings, a win would go a long way toward qualifying for the first ever upcoming GSAC volleyball tournament.  The Firestorm (12-12, 3-8 GSAC) began play with the first three points.  Following a tie at 4-4, ACU held a 7-5 edge.  But the Mustangs (9-15, 4-7 GSAC) used a 5-0 run to move ahead for good in the set.

The second set went back and forth and found ACU up 20-17.  However, TMU responded and had set point at 24-23.  A kill by Senior Alli Lemnitzer tied the set at 24-24.  The Master's again had set point at 25-24.  But Junior Breanna Scott made the score 25 all with a kill.  Following an error, Stein gave ACU the set win with a kill of her own.

Stein recorded six kills in the set.  Senior Debbie White notched four kills on six attacks without an error.

Set three started with a 1-1 tie thanks to an error by both teams.  Lemnitzer put down a kill to move ACU ahead. Building as large as a six point lead, the set was theirs for the taking.  Ahead 21-20, the Firestorm saw their edge go away two points later.

The fourth and final set was entertaining with 11 ties and four lead changes.  Looking to force a fifth set, a kill by White gave ACU a 22-20 advantage.  But that turned out to be the final kill of the night for Arizona Christian and they ultimately fell 27-25 in the set and match.

White and Senior Toria Siemens both had an error free hitting night.  White had nine kills while hitting .409.  Siemens hit .333 on her way to four kills.  Scott added nine kills and 14 digs.  Sophomore Delaney Harris topped with 22 digs.  Senior Morgan Stevens collected 12 digs.  Senior Kinsey Pease gave out 33 assists to go along with nine digs.

The loss for ACU does not eliminate the Firestorm from playoff contention but now they need help and do not control their own destiny.

On Friday afternoon, the Firestorm will play their final home match of the season when they host #7 Westmont.  First serve is scheduled for 3:00 pm.