PORTLAND, Ore. – The Pacific volleyball team advanced in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) Saturday evening after defeating Santa Clara, 25-18, 21-25, 25-12, 25-18 at the Viking Pavilion.
 
"This was a super gritty performance," Head Coach Greg Gibbons said after the match. "I'm so proud of how hard this team is playing together and the adjustments they are making."
 
The Tigers (18-13) recorded 49 kills throughout the match while registering a .236 hitting percentage in the process. Three players reached double-digit kill totals, with Biamba Kabengele and Alexa Edwards tallying a team-high 13, while Darina Kumanova added 11.
 
Jenna Heller and Jadyn Tubbs also played a crucial role in the winning efforts, with Heller recording 30 assists and 14 digs, while Tubbs finished with 14 assists and 12 digs.
 
In a tightly contested first set, the Broncos (13-19) jumped out to a 16-13 lead midway through the frame. The Tigers quickly embarked on a 10-0 run, led by four service aces from Kumanova, to take a commanding 23-16 advantage. The Tigers won two of the following four points to secure the set and take an early edge in the match.
 
After the Broncos won the second set to even the match at one set apiece, the Tigers swept through the following two sets to secure the match win. In the third frame, the Tigers never trailed, setting the tone with eight straight points to begin the frame. Along with recording a match-high .444 hitting percentage in the set, the Tigers flourished on the defensive side of the ball, allowing only five Bronco kills on 22 attempts.
 
In the deciding fourth set, the Tigers pulled away late, winning 12 of the final 17 points to earn a place in the NIVC quarterfinals.
 
Earning its first quarterfinal appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship in program history, Pacific will now await its opponent. The quarterfinal opponent will feature Wichita State, Grand Canyon, Drake, or Weber State on December 6, 7, or 8.