Box Score FRESNO, CA- Chaminade fell at nationally-ranked Fresno Pacific tonight in three sets (13-25, 23-25 and 20-25). After falling in set one, the Swords nearly took set two, falling just short of completely changing the complexion of the match. No one can question the strength of Chaminade's schedule so far in 2012, as the match marked the third contest against a nationally ranked opponent in under two weeks.
Falling behind 12-6 early on in the first set, Chaminade Head Coach Kahala Kabalis called timeout looking to stop the Sunbirds momentum. After splitting the next four points to make the score 14-8 FPU, Fresno Pacific closed out the set emphatically, winning 25-13. The Swords were within striking distance of FPU early in the second set as a block by senior
Whitney Viveiros (Hilo, HI/Kamehameha-Kapalama) and junior
Crystal Powell (Honolulu, HI/Word of Life) made the score 8-7 Fresno Pacific. Following a Sunbird run to lead 20-13, Chaminade came roaring back to tie the contest at 21-21 with a
Whitney Viveiros ace. After more back and forth action, a Kathleen Anderson kill gave FPU the set, 25-23.
The Swords lost the final set by a score of 25-20 to drop the match in three straight sets.
Freshman
Brenda Walker (Honolulu HI/ McKinley) led CUH with 12 digs. Chaminade also won the team dig total 44-36. Silversword
Kim Spring (Bern, Switzerland/ Feusi Bildungszentrum and Feusi Sportschule) added 9 kills, while
Crystal Powell tallied 8 kills. Freshman setter
Valentina Bevilacqua (Vacallo, Switzerland/Scuola Cantonale di Commercio Bellinzona) led the way with 23 assists. The Sunbirds out-hit the Swords .268 to .139.
Fresno Pacific was led by Lyndsie Petersen with 9 kills.
Coach Kabalis commented on the defeat: “We were shaken up early on because of our poor serve receive. We were able to light the fire again late in the second set but we couldn't close it. We had spurts of enthusiasm and fire that we needed to stay consistent in order to be at our most competitive state.”
The Swords move to 4-8 (1-3 PWC) with the loss. Fresno Pacific improves to 12-1 (4-0 PWC). Chaminade is back in action on September 28th as the Swords head to San Rafael, CA to take on Dominican. First serve is set for 7:00 PM PT.
