Box Score Glendale, Ariz.- In a match that featured 320 attacks, Arizona Christian edged Menlo 3-2 on Saturday afternoon. The Firestorm set a program record with 21 service aces.
Match Info
- Match scores
- Set 1: MC 25-19
- Set 2: ACU 25-13
- Set 3: MC 25-23
- Set 4: ACU 25-16
- Set 5: ACU 15-13
- Records: Arizona Christian - 10-15, 7-10 GSAC, Menlo - 12-12, 8-8 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Menlo - not ranked
- Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
ACU Stats
Inside The Box Score
- After the Oaks scored the first point, ACU scored the next four highlighted by two aces from Gibson
- An exchange of leads came to a head at 18-18
- MC moved ahead and kept the first set edge
- Set two was a flip of set one as MC was ahead early before an 8-8 tie
- A kill by Gibson pushed ACU top side for the rest of the set
- The 8-8 tie theme continued in the third set as ACU trailed but moved ahead
- Lunsford delivered an ace as ACU built a 17-12 lead
- The Oaks countered with an 8-1 run to grab the lead to the end of the set
- After dropping the first point of the fourth set, the Firestorm produced an 8-0 run (Gibson a kill and three aces in the run)
- ACU held the lead to close out the fourth
- Four lead changes and eight ties brought the fifth set to a 12-12 tie before a one point lead for Menlo
- But the Firestorm delivered three straight kills (Shockey, Henige, and Deni Jackson) to win the match
- While the 21 service aces was a team high, nine aces by Gibson are tied for second all-time for an ACU individual in a match
Thoughts from Coach Briscoe
"Proud of our team for battling until the end today. We won the battle from the service line while also minimizing our service errors where we struggled last night. We had a strong offensive performance as a team with our setters doing a good job moving the ball around. Plenty to work on but thankful to finish on top!"
Up Next
On Friday, the Firestorm will host OUAZ in their regular season finale at 6:00 pm.
