Box Score
HONOLULU – The Chaminade women's volleyball team earned its first win of the 2013 season with a four-set victory over Alaska, 20-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-14, at McCabe Gym.
The Silverswords improved to 1-1 on the year, while Alaska fell to 0-3 on their current road trip to the Islands.
Outside hitter Kapiolani Rapoza slammed down a career-high 18 kills with a .406 hitting percentage for the Silverswords. Kim Spring contributed with 12 kills. Freshman Kaya Chong had six kills and 10 digs while Ku'ulei Lynch had three total blocks, two solo. The Nanooks were led by Sam Harthun's 11 kills.
After dropping the first set, CUH and UA were engaged in a close duel in the second, but the Swords went on a 6-0 run via three straight Nanook hitting errors along with kills from Rapoza and Spring to pull away and eventually even the set.
The third was much closer, going into extra points. Alaska took the lead and was serving for set point at 26-25, but the Swords got kills from Rapoza, Kylee Pedro and Crystal Powell to take the critical third set.
In the fourth, Chaminade jumped out to a 13-4 lead behind three kills each from Rapoza and Spring. The Swords would lead by as many as 13 points in the set before putting the match away, hitting at a .429 clip in the process.
CUH hit .298 for the match with 57 kills while holding the Nanooks to a .113 average and 34 kills. The Swords also held a slight edge in blocking, 7-6.
The Swords return to the McCabe Gym court next Thursday as they face Fort Hays State in the first round of the Honolulu Invitational. Chaminade will also face Chico State and Lewis in the Invitational.
