HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team returned home for the first time in two weeks Monday but received a rude welcome back.
The Silverswords, who began a seven-match home stand, were swept at home for the first time this season, 25-14, 25-16, 25-21 against Dixie State, which entered the match just outside the AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Nicole Koehler put down a match-high eight kills and with seven from Maddie Rex as the Red Storm (11-5 overall, 8-0 Pacific West Conference) hit .236 on the match and picked up 13 total blocks. Koehler also had eight combined blocks, seven assisted.
Conversely, the Silverswords (10-9, 3-6) finished with a negative hitting percentage for the first time this season (-.020) and got only five total blocks. Chaminade committed 29 attack errors on with 27 kills.
Ku`ulei Lynch led the 'Swords with seven kills and two combined blocks.
Cassie Rushlow had six kills and
Madalene Barrett had five with a pair of block solos.
The 'Swords could not gain any traction to start both Sets 1 and 2, falling behind early and often, hitting .000 as they trailed the match, 0-2.
In the third set, Chaminade showed signs of life, jumping out to a 10-6 lead behind a pair of Lynch kills as well as forcing four Dixie State attack errors. But the 'Swords committed four straight hitting errors as the Red Storm forced a 12-all tie. Chaminade again pushed the back to four at 18-14 with the help of a
Suncica Bakic kill and Rushlow ace.
However the tide turned as the Red Storm ran off seven straight points to capture a 21-18 lead. A Barrett kill and an
Athena Maskarich ace brought the 'Swords back to within 20-21, but Dixie State out-scored the 'Swords, 4-1, to end the set and match.
Chaminade did manage to out-dig DSU, 37-36, with Maskarich picking up 10 on the night.
Valentina Bevilacqua had 16 assists for the Silverswords while
Darcie Horiuchi had two of the team's four service aces.
The 'Swords will face Azusa Pacific on Thursday at 7 p.m. Live streaming audio will be available on GoSwords.com.
