LAURA JANE KENNY | staff writer
photo | ROBIN FAWCETT
Sophomore Jill Baker demonstrates her high leaping ability on the serve.


Biola swept the Cougars 3-0 and push APU to a fifth-place finish in GSAC.

APU fell short of expectations on Tuesday night when the volleyball team lost 3-0 to Biola at the Felix Event Center. This gave Biola 4th place-standing in the GSAC conference and pushed APU down to 5th.

The stands were filled with Blackout shirts and Biola sweatshirts as the game began. Loud cheering could be heard throughout the game from the blackout section of the bleachers to encourage APU. However, the home advantage was not enough to help the Cougars to victory.

Biola started the first game, leading by four points. The Cougars retained composure and were able to almost catch up, staying within a two-point difference for most of the game. However, the Cougars never led in any of the three games and trailed as far as eight points behind during the first game. Biola won 30-27.

The second game also started with Biola leading. After three points, the Cougars started regaining a little momentum and stayed just a few points behind their opponent. However, Biola was able to create spurts of three points at a time, putting the Cougars as far as six points behind. The Cougars fought back with intensity, chasing the Eagles 25-26. However, Biola came out on top, winning the second game 30-36.

The beginning of the third game inspired hope when the Cougars allowed Biola one point before winning the ball over. Unfortunately, the Eagles started to advance, leading the game 24-15. The Eagles defeated the Cougars 30-22, winning all three of the first games.

“There were parts where we did really well and other parts where we were out of rhythm. It is good to see where we have a lot of things we need to work on before the next few games. Hopefully we will work on the things that hurt us tonight,” head coach Chris Keife said.

The team will be focusing on passing and serving in their next practice for their next away game against Vanguard on Thursday.

Biola is now 14-5, leaving APU at 11-8. Due to this loss, APU is fifth in the conference and Biola is set in fourth place.

Biola came into the season with an eye on 4th place, since APU took it from them last year. This was APUs second game against Biola this year. APU played Biola on Oct. 2, winning the first game, but losing the remaining three.

Last season APU beat Biola three times, twice during the regular season and once in the playoffs. This year, like last year, APUs first round of playoff games is against Biola. The winner gets to proceed onto the next round of playoffs, leaving the loser out of the playoffs. Unlike last year, APU will now be playing at Biola for their first playoff game due to Tuesday’s loss.

Biola is known as APUs biggest rival. Interestingly, the two head coaches, Chris Keife and Biola’s head coach Aaron Seltzer, are good friends. They have been playing against each other for two seasons.

“We know each other so well, there are no secrets in what is going to happen out on the floor,” Keife said.

There was still a small taste of victory within APUs defeat. Sophomore outside hitter Jill Baker achieved a match high of 22 kills.

“Biola is a good team. They didn’t give us any points at all; they made us work for our points. I think that is where we need to step in, be really physical but do well, make them work for their points, not give them to them,” Baker said.

Even throughout the Cougars’ defeat, the team managed to stay together.

“We kept our composure really well as a team. We never tend to show our emotions. I think it was good that we just played through, tried to keep calm and poised on court,” senior outside hitter Brianne Huff said.