HONOLULU, HI- Early on in tonight's Pac West Conference match the Argonauts looked like they were looking to sweep the Silverswords in McCabe Gym, winning the first two sets in impressive fashion, 25-18 and 25-16. Chaminade had other ideas, as their offense awoke in a big way, winning the final three sets 25-23, 25-20, 15-12.
The Swords got off to a slow start in the first two sets for the second match in a row, hitting below .100 in both sets and falling behind the Argos two sets to zero.
Chaminade won a tough third set 25-23, while hitting .213 on 20 kills in the pivotal set. The Swords kept it going, taking the fourth set 25-20 as the offense really got rolling (.275 hitting percentage).
In the deciding fifth set, CUH stormed out to a 7-2 lead before NDNU responded to make it a one point difference at 10-11 CUH. Senior setter
Tanya Alvino (Brentwood, CA/Liberty) had a quick attack find the floor as Chaminade went up 12-10 and the Swords would not allow the Argos closer, taking the fifth set 15-12.
CUH was led by junior
Poerava Gantt (Kapaa, HI/Kapaa) with 14 kills and 25 digs each. Freshman
Crystal Powell was also impressive (Honolulu, HI/ Word of Life) contributing 16 kills and 21 digs on the night.
Tanya Alvino had 53 assists and 15 digs in the win.
Defensively, junior
Kristy Inamasu (Kahului, HI/Maui) added 23 digs, while sophomore
Whitney Viveiros (Hilo, HI/Kamehameha-Kapalama) added 7 kills and 15 digs on the match.
The Argonauts out-hit the Swords .216 to .165. NDNU also had 8 total team blocks to Chaminade's 5. CUH lost the dig battle 112-107.
NDNU was led by Christina Villamayor with 24 kills and 25 digs.
With the win, Chaminade moves to 7-13, 4-9 in the PWC. NDNU moves to 6-15, 4-10 in the PWC. The Swords next faces Academy of Art on Friday, November 5th at 7:00 PM HT at McCabe Gym.
