SURPRISE, Ariz. – A match nearly three years in the making took place on Wednesday night as the OUAZ women's volleyball played an actual home match when they hosted Arizona Christian inside their new on-campus home, Faith Arena. While the visitors spoiled the night by winning in four sets, three of the four were decided by the two-point minimum.
 
The match featured 17 ties and 10 lead changes before Arizona Christian (16-12, 7-9 GSAC) came away with the 27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23 win.
 
OUAZ (7-18, 3-13) had one of its best offensive night of the season with 59 kills and at least 13 kills in each of the four sets. They hit .151 while picking up eight service aces. The Spirit were hurt by the 13 aces of the Firestorm as the crosstown rivals totaled 48 kills and .177 hitting.
 
After missing the past two matches with an injury, and not playing in the most of the first set tonight, Avie Butsko led OUAZ with 16 kills on .469 hitting. She committed only one hitting error on 32 swings and added three blocks.
 
Austin Edwards tallied 15 kills and 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Sharron Wallace added nine kills while Katie Defer and Izze Gibbs recorded six and five kills respectively. Kanoe Vinoya had a season-best 50 assists to become the second player – and third time – to reach at least 50 assists in a match.
 
Both teams had 84 digs in the match with Leni Bartley leading five Spirit players in double figures with 18. Star Hoskie added 14 digs and Camila Mitton had 13.
 
OUAZ will now close their season next week with a pair of road matches. The trip begins on November 8 at The Master's.