FRESNO, Calif. – It was a thrilling reunion between Vanguard and Fresno Pacific on Monday afternoon as both teams squared off for the first time since 2011. In the second half of their eight-game homestand, FPU commanded the first set 25-19. The Lions roared back to claim sets two (25-22) and three (25-21), until FPU forced the full distance, taking the fourth set 25-19. Fresno Pacific carried momentum to lead the fifth set, but a game-changing 7-0 run from VU stunned the home crowd and helped the Lions earn a win to finish their four-game road trip.
 
With the win, the Blue and Gold jump to 6-7 on the year and 3-6 in the Pacific West Conference, while Fresno Pacific falls to 10-6, 5-3 in the league.
 
Adeline Galvanoni excelled with a team-high 16 kills (.306), including two of the last three kills to finish the game. Morgan Cole earned her second straight double-double, as she closed the contest with 10 kills and 12 digs. Madeline DeLucia went for 21 assists and 15 digs and notched four service aces for the third time this season. Senior Payton Darm dealt six kills and had a match-high eight block assists.
 
Fresno Pacific was led by Madison Girnius, who sported a career-high 18 kills, hitting .485 for the contest. The Lions won the war in the front row, out-blocking FPU 12-9 and collecting 10 more block assists than the home side (22-12). Though FPU had an 11-8 edge in aces for the match, the Blue and Gold committed just seven service errors to FPU's 15, which proved crucial down the stretch.
 
What Happened?: Fresno Pacific was well in rhythm from the opening serve. The Sunbirds opened the game with a 9-3 stretch, prompting an early VU timeout. Cole struck her first kill out of the break to bring the Lions up to speed. Kayla Robinson then sliced the ball off the block and DeLucia dropped two straight aces to cap a 5-2 run and cut the gap to 11-8. Cole's block from the left side kept it close at 13-11, but the Sunbirds surged forward with a 4-0 run. The Lions' efforts to fight back into the set were stunted by narrow calls, which hoisted FPU to their largest lead at 22-12. The Lions made a 7-3 run to end the set, but the hot start from the Sunbirds was enough for the one-set lead. FPU hit .250 to VU's .000.
 
Set 2: Set two was riddled with tension, as both teams split 12 ties and 10 lead changes. FPU led 6-2 for service aces but VU capitalized on calculated recoveries in the longer rallies and managed just one attacking error to FPU's six.
 
Fresno Pacific scored first, and the Lions responded with four unanswered. Galvanoni closed the door on the furious rally, as she thrust the ball down for a 4-1 Lion lead. Cole crafted a wonderful kill off balance to keep VU in the lead, but the Sunbird's 5-1 run soon leveled the set at 6-6. Alister Borabo torched one to the back row and DeLucia's delivery continued to stump the Sunbirds for a 12-9 Vanguard edge. The set remained close, even after Delaney Hill's palm placed the Lions up 20-18. The Sunbirds swung the score with two straight aces, but a huge kill from Cole pegged the score at 22-all.
 
The Lions would earn the set victory after FPU swung for three consecutive errors to give the visitors a foot in the door. VU hit .343 and the Sunbirds fired at .128 clip.
 
Set 3: Borabo placed the Lions on the board and a DeLucia ace down the middle made it 2-0 VU. Blair Dodge helped Vanguard earn its largest lead of the set after a huge defensive dig created an opening for a kill and an 11-6 scoreline. Senior Rachel Lim, who finished with 18 assists, set Hill on a strong angle down the right, and she spiked the ball for a 14-10 lead. FPU could not conjure a decisive dent until an 8-2 spell cut the Vanguard lead to 22-21. The Blue and Gold were calm out of the timeout as Galvanoni blasted a blur past the orange jerseys for her third kill of the set. Robinson controlled the front row with two straight block assists to put the set to bed. VU led the set in blocks 5-3.
 
Set 4: Vanguard earned a long point through Galvanoni to open the next period, but it would not take long for FPU to shoot back after dropping the third set.  The Sunbirds charged forward on a 14-6 run as Girnius inspired the home crowd with seven kills in the set. The run cemented a 17-12 FPU lead as Fresno Pacific refused to let the Lions back within three for the remainder of the set.
 
Set 5: The first VU point came courtesy of an FPU service error, but the Sunbirds then hit four unanswered kills to force a quick timeout at 4-1. Fresno Pacific committed three service errors in the set, which allowed the Lions to lurk close behind. Despite being down 10-5, the Lions roared back for a 7-0 run to stun the Sunbirds to swipe a 12-10 lead. The run saw Hill earn two points, Dodge drill two aces, and FPU forced into three attacking errors. The Sunbirds burned the final timeout for either team and two VU errors after the break cut the score to 13-12. The Lions, however, took the reins on the final two rallies, as Galvanoni crushed a free ball for match point and called for the game with a powerful swing from the right side.

What's Next?: The Lions will return to the Freed Center for Dig Pink Night against Westmont on Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m.