Dec. 2, 2005

California Baptist Dashes Fresno Pacific's Volleyball Title Dreams

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - It wasn't necessarily the ideal match for the top two seeds to meet, but defending national champion California Baptist University and No. 1 Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) played the closest match of the tournament in the quarterfinals of the 26th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship, with Cal Baptist emerging with a 3-1 victory.  Hosted by Point Loma Nazarene University, the tournament is being played on campus in Golden Gymnasium November 30 - December 3.

Fresno Pacific had been untouchable throughout the tournament, winning their pool by not dropping a game and looked every bit the top-seed that has beaten the Lancers 3 times this year.  The Lancers took the match 33-31, 26-30, 33-31, and 30-26 in the fourth meeting of the teams this year.  Cal Baptist sought revenge as FPU owned the Lancers with three victories prior to tonight's game.  The Golden State Athletic Conference members last met in the Region II final, and although FPU was victorious, Cal Baptist scored a moral victory by winning one game in the match - only the third game Fresno Pacific had dropped all season.

Cal Baptist had that same feeling on the court tonight as Vernania Willis and Yudelka Bonilla caught fire, connecting on 21 kills apiece.  Willis added two blocks and seven digs.  Kayla Van Duyn recorded 65 assists as the Lancers improve to 32-5.  The Lancers played outstanding defense, limiting FPU to just .186 hitting percentage when the Sunbirds averaged above .350 for all of pool play.

Fresno Pacific was in search of its third national title after being ranked No. 1 in every poll minus the preseason rating.  The Sunbirds were led by Lira Xavier with 15 kills and nine digs.  Brittany Pierce and Lorena Zuleta both added 11 kills. FPU finishes the 2005 campaign at 38-1.

Cal Baptist improves 32-5 and advances to meet Madonna University (Mich.) (48-1) in a 10 a.m. (Pacific) semifinal match on Friday, December 3.  The championship game will be at 7:30 p.m.

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