GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Vanguard Lions (5-1, 3-0) picked up their second three-set victory in their road-trip to Arizona, this time over Arizona Christian (0-5, 0-4) by scores of 25-12, 25-16, 25-16. The Lions will ride a three-game win streak back home where they will be welcomed by the fifth-ranked Benedictine University at Mesa in what will be a marquee matchup on Friday, February 7th. 

A service error and a service ace by Arizona Christian would keep things close early in the first set and then the Lions would go on a run, going on a 7-1 run that included a kill and a service ace by Alejandro Hernandez (FR/Hacienda Heights, CA). Both teams gained a short burst of rhythm offensively as five kills would proceed four attack errors. After three consecutive service errors, Vanguard would finish the set out with a couple of kills from Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) and Dylan Garcia (FR/Los Angeles, CA) to take a 1-0 lead. 

The Blue and Gold would get out to a hot start once again in the second set as they went on an early 7-3 lead. A couple of kills from ACU would cut into their deficit, but the Lions would extend their lead once again with a couple of blocks from Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA). A 5-1 run late into the second set by VU would force a timeout from the Firestorm. A couple of service errors and an attack error would put the Lions up two games. In the third set, the Lions continued to hit a high percentage, finishing the contest with 31 kills in 59 attempts, good for a .339 hitting percentage. Arizona Christian would battle hard but would fall by a score identical to the one posted in the second set and the Blue and Gold would come away with the victory. 

"Our main goal in today's match was to utilize our depth with the quick turnaround from last night and I think we accomplished that goal," said Watts. "We got good use out of our quick sets and back row attacks offensively and defensively and we got great touches on our blocks."

Christian Nowtash (SO/Vista, CA) finished with a game-high 10 kills and only two errors, good for a hitting percentage of .615, while Anema would record nine kills on 16 attempts. Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA) would dish out 27 assists and saw two serves slam into the hardwood on the opposing teams' side. Dylan Garcia had a game-high five digs to go along with three kills and a block in a well-rounded performance. 

Next Match: Friday, February 7 against (5) Benedictine-Mesa at 6:00 p.m.

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