By: Tim Gooszen

Aliso Viejo, Calif.- On the strength of only trailing in the third set, Arizona Christian beat Soka in straight sets on Friday evening.  

Match Info

• Match score: Arizona Christian- 3, Soka- 0 
  • Set 1: ACU 25-21
  • Set 2: ACU 25-12
  • Set 3: ACU 25-15 
• Records: Arizona Christian - 8-7, 5-4 GSAC, Soka - 1-12, 0-8 GSAC
• Location: Soka University Gym, Soka University, Aliso Viejo, CA

ACU Stats

• Caleb Merlino - 10 kills, hit .438
• Joshua Case - 9 kills, hit .421
• Asher Ganem - 7 kills
• Jarrett Spartz - 6 kills
• Joel Romero - 5 kills, hit .556
• Thomas Johannesen - 24 assists
• Jeremy Simon - 16 digs

Inside the Box Score

• Sixteen points into the match and the teams had shared six ties
• Case broke the tie with a kill and ACU stayed ahead
• The Lions tied the second set at 1-1
• Another Case kill, another lead not given up 
• Soka scored the first three points of the third set
• Following three ties but no lead changes, Soka was ahead 9-7
• But a Merlino (three kills) led charge resulted in a 7-0 run
• The Firestorm were in front by at least four the rest of the way 

Up Next
On Saturday, Arizona Christian will play at La Sierra… but not until 8:30 pm.