STOCKTON, Calif.- As some heavy news was shared within the Pacific volleyball team (14-8, 6-4 WCC) last week, the Tigers came together for one of their own in a big win at home over Loyola Marymount (15-6, 8-3 WCC). In a winner-take-all fifth set, the Tigers delivered the final blow to take the match 3-2 to capture their 14th win of the season.
 
The Tigers entered the match knowing they would be without their leading scorer, fifth year senior Biamba Kabengele. While on the road last week, Kabengele returned home to Canada to be with her family in the wake of a tragic loss. Donning pink ribbons for their teammate, the Tigers played with immeasurable heart. They stepped up not just for themselves, but for Kabengele, exemplifying the true nature of family they have created with each other.
 
At the start, the two teams were locked in a heated back and forth as they traded set wins. Pacific took the fourth set 25-16 to tie the match 2-2. LMU came in ready to fight, as the two went to five sets earlier this month. They traded points through the duration until it was match point in favor of Pacific. Up 14-12, senior Alexa Edwards dealt the final kill, and the Tigers stormed the court in exuberant joy.
 
Edwards led the team with 18 kills, to tie her season-high, which also came against LMU earlier this month. She added one service ace, two blocks and 12 digs on the day. Freshman Zoe Morales came up big for the Tigers, spearheading the Tigers' 7-0 run in the fourth set, which helped Pacific earn its pivotal second win of the match. She ended the day with three service aces and 18 digs.
 
Sophomore Emily Van Groningen stepped up to the plate with a season-high 12 kills, hitting .426 on 26 attempts and no errors. Senior Darina Kumanova picked up 11 kills and 18 digs, while also notching three service aces of her own to tie her season-high in a match.
 
All the Tigers played with a different level of heart, but junior Abby Miller filled in for them in a huge way. Burning her redshirt because was called in to help, the junior was electric in her first game of the season. She notched 11 kills and three digs to help guide the Tigers to victory. "How about that performance by this team? Like Abby, who had to pull her redshirt year to be able to go and do what she did today against their best blockers. I mean what a great team performance." head coach Greg Gibbons shared with pride.

"You talk about going all out? I mean look at what they did," he continued, "They obviously knew what was going on, we were without Biamba, and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. Though I got to say, I think there was an angel watching over us. What a great job of competing by this team and what a great win."
 
The Tigers head out to San Francisco next week before returning home to host San Diego as they search for more statement wins in conference play.