IRVINE, CA - A mixed second day at the Concordia University Irvine Labor Day Tournament saw the SFU Clan volleyball team end on a high note, sweeping the Azusa Pacific Cougars 3-0 after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the host CUI Eagles earlier in the afternoon morning.

Following their two wins from yesterday, the Can finished the tournament with a solid 3-1 record.

With final set scores of 25-14, 25-12, and 25-22 in the loss against the host Eagles, SFU head coach Gina Schmidt was didn't pull any punches in her analysis of the contest.
 
"The morning match was very uncharacteristic for us," noted Schmidt. "We did not execute on either side of the ball and Concordia took full advantage. Some of our younger players got the opportunity to play in the third set and made a positive impact which was great to see."
 
The Clan turned it around in their second contest of the afternoon, with Schmidt noting that her squad seemed a little more fired up after the morning's showing.
 
"We definitely found our rhythm again in the second match," said Schmidt. "The girls were motivated to show that we are a better team than what demonstrated in the morning. Everyone showed up to play and our offence was firing on all cylinders."
 
In the second game, Christine Howlett and Devon May led the way offensively with nine kills apiece, while Emma Jennings put up a solid two-way showing with seven kills and 10 digs.
 
After going down 4-2 in the opening set against Azusa, Simon Fraser stormed back with five straight points and seemed to dictate the match from that point forward. The Clan closed the opening set on a 4-0 run, with Devon May dropping two aces in the final four points to give her squad the 25-14 win.
 
The Clan came out and dominated the second frame, opening with a 10-2 run. Tessa May set the tone during that stretch, as the sophomore middle knocked down back-to-back-to-back kills, and five overall, during SFU's opening assault. The Clan spread the attack in the latter half of the frame, with seven different players getting kills as SFU rolled to a 25-17 win.
 
The Cougars helped out the Clan significantly in the final frame, with 12 Azusa Pacific errors leading directly to SFU points. On their own end, the Clan took care of business with 12 kills, three of which went to Howlett, and a lone ace from Jayme Bratsburg, en route to the 25-12 decision.
 
2016 Labor Day Classic
Concordia University Irvine   (4-0)
Simon Fraser                     (3-1)
Colorado Christian              (2-2)
UC San Diego                    (2-2)
Seattle Pacific                   (1-3)
Azusa Pacific                     (0-4)
 
Tournament MVP's:
Concordia University Irvine
Amber Rose, Junior MB
Hannah Andrews, Senior OH
 
All-Tournament Team:
 Rachel Flynn, Junior OH/MB – Concordia University Irvine
Alison McKay, Senior DS/L – Simon Fraser
Tamara Nipp, Senior S – Simon Fraser
Kylee Wurster, Sophomore S – Colorado Christian
Megan Wright, Senior OH/MB – UC San Diego

SFU will now turn their focus to San Francisco, CA, as they're set to take part in the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase, which will run from September 8 to 10. The Clan will kick off the tournament by facing the San Francisco State on September 8 at 8:00 pm.
 
Be sure to follow SFU Athletics on Twitter (@SFUClan) for the latest news and on Instagram (@SFUClan) for behind-the-scenes photos.
 
-- @SFUClan --