PACWEST VOLLEYBALL WEEKLY NOTEBOOK

IRVINE, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific will travel to California Baptist on Saturday for a battle between nationally-ranked teams with big PacWest regular season title implications.

The Lancers hold a one-game lead in the standings over the Cougars, who took their first PacWest loss of the season against Biola. The Eagles defeated the Cougars in straight sets at home to even the season series. Azusa Pacific could get back into a tie atop the conference standings with a win over the Lancers on Saturday in the first of two meetings between the top two teams in the conference.

Concordia put an end to its eight-match losing streak emphatically with a pair of convincing wins against Point Loma and Chaminade as Amber Rose led the league in blocks for the week. Concordia is still receiving votes in the AVCA coaches poll.

Dixie State has won each of its last three matches and is now in third place in the conference standings. The Trailblazers will play at Notre Dame de Namur and Dominican this week.

California Baptist’s defense is now the best in the nation, holding opponents to a .086 hitting percentage. The Lancers received three first-place votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.

Chaminade continues its trip through Southern California this week with matches at Biola and California Baptist. Chaminade is looking to become the third team in the conference to reach double-digit wins this season.

Weekly Awards for the week of Sept. 25-Oct. 1

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
McKenna Witt, California Baptist
OH, Gr., 5-10 -- Glendale, Ariz.
Witt helped the Lancers remain perfect in the 2017 season with a pair of straight-set victories by tallying 29 kills and 23 digs. She had a double-double against Holy Names and a .510 hitting percentage.

DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Kiley Davis, Hawai`i Hilo
MB, Jr., 6-0 -- Scottsdale, Ariz.
Davis helped Hawai`i Hilo to a five-set win over Dominican, saving four match points along the way. The Vulcans’ middle blocker had 12 kills and nine blocks, including three solo blocks. The junior finished the match with a .333 hitting percentage .

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Sadie Emery, Academy of Art
MB, Fr., 6-0 -- Long Beach, Calif.
Emery helped the Urban Knights earn their first PacWest win of the season with a 3-1 triumph against Point Loma. The freshman had a .556 hitting percentage with a11 kills and two blocks.