HONOLULU — Hawai'i Pacific University battled but PacWest leading Azusa Pacific proved to be too strong as the Sharks were swept by the Cougars in three sets on Friday night in James Castle Gym at St. Andrew's Priory.
 
The Sharks (5-8, 3-2) fell to APU (12-1, 5-0) 25-13, 25-19, 25-22.
 
"We got stronger as the match went on," said head coach Jenic Tumaneng. "But we made too many mistakes to keep a quality team like Azusa down for long. We battled all night."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 
The Sharks hit just .056 for the match and suffered 21 errors in three sets while posting 4.0 team blocks. Azusa Pacific was held to just a .176 hitting percentage with 6.0 team blocks.
 
HPU was paced by the play of freshman Cameryn Collie of El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge, who recorded nine kills and a block. Junior Kayla Demari of Dana Point, Calif./JSerra Catholic, added five kills, while senior Lea Felton of Sacramento, Calif./St. Francis, led the team with three blocks.
 
Azusa Pacific's Julianne Miller racked up 12 kills, four blocks and a .550 hitting percentage in leading the Cougars. Hannah Pauling chipped in nine kills, while Amy Hinnant also collected four blocks.
 
The Sharks battled in every set, but the tone was established midway through the first.
 
HPU overcame an early deficit with an 8-2 run to grab a 13-12 lead over the Cougars. But Mahea Pescaia's service ace would be the last point the Sharks would get in the set. APU went on a 13-0 run to win the set 25-13.
 
Azusa opened set two with a 5-1 run and HPU could never get back even. The Sharks got within four late before the Cougars closed the set with a 3-1 run to win 25-19.
 
HPU came out firing in the third set, building a 14-11 lead with a Collie kill. But a Shark service error keyed an APU 8-1 run for a 19-15 advantage.
 
But the Sharks weren't done, taking advantage of a Cougar service error to go on an 8-3 run of their own to tie the set at 22-all on Felton's kill. Alas, Azusa followed by winning three straight points and took the set and match on a combination block by Miller and Hinnant for a 25-22 decision.
 
HPU must rebound quickly as they closeout a six-match homestand at the Priory's Castle Gym against PacWest newcomer Biola on Saturday night. First serve is set for 7 p.m.