Glendale, Ariz.- Facing off against Simpson (CA), Aaron Knudsen and Paul Rolland delivered Arizona Christian to victory with a combined 37 kills.  Bryston Hines delivered a 2024 ACU season high 46 assists (tied for fifth most in ACU history).

Match Info

• Match score: Arizona Christian- 3, Simpson (CA)- 1
  • Set 1: ACU 25-19
  • Set 2: SU 25-11
  • Set 3: ACU 27-25
  • Set 4: ACU 25-23
• Records: Arizona Christian- 3-14, Simpson- 4-15
• NAIA Top 10 Rank: Arizona Christian- not ranked, Simpson- not ranked
• Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats

• Aaron Knudsen- 20 kills (ACU career high), hit .324, 6 blocks
• Paul Rolland- 17 kills
• AJ Scott- 7 kills
• Bryston Hines- 46 assists, 6 digs
• Joel Romero- 23 digs
• Damon Potter- 6 blocks

Inside the Box Score

• The Redhawks scored the first point of the match before the Firestorm scored the next five
• Scott had two kills in the run
• ACU led the rest of the set
• Both teams attempted 30 attacks in the first set
• A kill by Rolland tied the second set at 6-6
• SU scored the next three points and held the lead through the set
• The third set was all about ties and lead changes
• The teams played to a 25-25 tie before Knudsen and Rolland each had a kill to close the set
• Set four was tied 22 points in at 11-11
• ACU used a 5-0 run to take the lead for good (though SU was within one point a few times)
• Knudsen and Scott both had a kill and both teamed up with Potter on blocks in that deciding run

Thoughts from Coach Bruns
"Great bounce back win.  In the past we have not been able to recover but tonight we did.  We battled back in the third thanks to service runs by Bryston and Brecken Roberts.  We can definitely play a cleaner game but I am proud of the way we battled and stuck together."

Up Next
Arizona Christian will have their hands full with NAIA number two ranked Vanguard on Friday evening in the Firestorm Recreation Center.  First serve is at 6:00 pm.