#15 Wayne State 3 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 1

            Three Wildcats posted double digit kills as #15 Wayne State opened play Friday afternoon at the Colorado Premier Volleyball Challenge with a 3-1 victory over Azusa Pacific of California at the Regis University Fieldhouse in Denver, Colorado.  Wayne State is now 5-0 on the season while the Cougars drop to 3-3.
            The Wildcats used a late scoring surge to break away in the first set for a 25-15 win.  The set featured nine ties and three lead changes early, but WSC scored 12 of the final 15 points in the set to capture the win.
            Sophomore Brooke Peltz notched back-to-back service aces to put the 'Cats in front 17-13 and the 'Cats posted a .393 hitting percentage for the opening set win.
            Azusa Pacific stormed back in the second set, forcing 13 Wildcat errors, as the Cougars evened the match with a 25-18 set win.
            WSC wasted little time in regaining the momentum in the third set, taking an early 7-2 lead, as the 'Cats cruised to a 25-18 third set win thanks to 17 kills.  Sophomore Taya Beller had the hot hand for the 'Cats in the set with six kills on seven attempts and no errors while Kelsie Cada followed with four kills and a pair of blocks.
            The 'Cats continued their strong play in the fourth set, recording 14 kills and no errors for a .483 hitting percentage as Wayne State closed out the Cougars with a 25-10 set win. 
            With WSC holding a 6-5 lead in the fourth set, the Wildcats reeled off nine of the next 10 points for a commanding 15-6 lead and Wayne State rolled the rest of the set to complete the match win.
            Beller led a balanced Wildcat effort at the net with 14 kills and a .458 hitting percentage.  Sophomore Maggie Brahmer followed with 13 kills and seven blocks while Cada posted a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs.
            Senior libero Jessie Brandl notched 22 digs while setter Rachel Walker added a double-double with 37 set assists and 11 digs.  Peltz had four of Wayne State's nine service aces in the win.
            Wayne State hit .252 in the win with 52 kills.  The 'Cats had eight more digs than APU, 62-54, and had 10 blocks compared to six for the Cougars.  WSC also held a 9-4 edge in service aces.
            Wayne State faces #5 West Florida Friday evening as the Wildcats continue pool play at the Colorado Premier Challenge.