Honolulu, HI (October 12, 2012)- The Hawai'i Pacific volleyball team (7-7, 1-5) lost a tough match in four sets against the Cougars of Azusa Pacific (12-7, 4-5) Friday night at St. Andrew's Priory (25-17, 25-16, 26-28, 25-20).
 
The Sea Warriors came out of the gates playing tough against the Cougars in set one, leading early and then tying the set at 14. However, by the end of the set HPU lost by eight points, only recording one block as a team and hitting .118. HPU appeared to be overmatched in set two as well, despite freshman Elizabeth Culpepper hitting a solid .462 in the first two sets.
 
The Sea Warriors received a jolt off of the bench in set three when Sanoe Recca entered the game and blasted seven of her first eight attacks past the Cougars for a staggering .875 hitting percentage. HPU fought off four match points from APU before tying the score at 26. The Sea Warriors got back-to-back kills from Culpepper and Samantha Rummans to take the set.
 
In set four, the Sea Warriors kept it interesting, leading 10-6 and then tying the match at 17. However, a late 8-2 rally by APU clinched victory.
 
Despite not entering the game until set three, Recca ended the match only two kills behind the leader for the Sea Warriors, Kasey Thompson (11) and only one kill behind Culpepper, who had 10. Pihankealoha Kea led HPU with 31 assists and she also had 17 digs. Chelsey Buyuan led the squad with 19 digs.
 
The Sea Warriors will try to get back on track at St. Andrew's Priory on Saturday at 5PM when they face Point Loma Nazarene.
 
Box Score