PACWEST VOLLEYBALL WEEKLY NOTEBOOK
IRVINE, Calif. -- The top seven teams in the conference standings going into last week played against each other 12 times, causing big changes in the standings, but Azusa Pacific remained on top with an undefeated conference record of 7-0.
The Cougars defeated all three Hawaii teams at home to extend their winning streak to eight matches. Azusa Pacific only dropped one set on the week and was the only team to beat Hawai`i Hilo.
The Vulcans fell in straight sets at Azusa Pacific, but went through the rest of the trip to southern California unscathed for a 3-1 record on the week. Hawai`i Hilo defeated Biola in five sets, winning a wild fifth set, 18-16.
The big surprise of the week was delivered by Concordia, who handed Chaminade its third loss at the end of an arduous trip. With the score tied at 13-13 in the final set, Concordia claimed the final two points to create a three-way tie for fourth place.
Point Loma defeated Hawai`i Pacific for its only win on the week to drop to 4-3. The Sharks defeated Concordia to start the trip, but did not win again last week.
This week, the Hawaii schools get to return home, and will have to host Academy of Art and Holy Names, who begin their Hawaii trip on Friday. All of the southern California schools will head north, but not before an important match in La Mirada on Wednesday between Concordia and Biola as both teams look to make up ground on Azusa Pacific.
Weekly awards based on the week of Sept. 17-23
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Christina Tran, Fresno Pacific
S, Jr., 5-7 -- Clovis, Calif.
Tran became the second PacWest athlete this year to record a triple-double as the Sunbirds went 2-1 on the week to double their win total on the season. In five sets against Notre Dame de Namur, the junior recorded 27 assists, 19 digs and 13 kills. On the week, Tran also had four blocks and a conferecne-leading eight aces. Tran set a season-high for assists in the next match with 45 assists in four sets against Holy Names. She added another 44 assists against Academy of Art to push her total to 241 assists this year. Tran had double-digit digs in all three matches.
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Sierra Bauder, Biola
MB, Sr., 6-0 -- Phoenix, Ariz.
Bauder is now the third player to earn both Player and Defender of the Week this season after she helped the Eagles win two of three home matches, including a sweep of then-undefeated Chaminade. Bauder recorded 15 blocks on the week, including two per set against Chaminade. Her six blocks in the matches against Chaminade and Hawai`i Hilo are her season high as she now has 50 blocks in 51 sets this year. Biola is 5-2 in conference play after last week’s matches.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Jillian Wheaton, Academy of Art
MB, Fr., 6-0 -- Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Academy of Art won a set for the first time this year as Wheaton helped the Urban Knights take two sets against Notre Dame de Namur and another against Fresno Pacific. Wheaton had 15 blocks in the two matches to lead the conference in blocks per set for the week. The freshman also had 28 kills, reaching double digits in both matches for the first time in her career. Against Notre Dame de Namur, Wheaton set another career high with three aces.