Box Score HILO, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team could not make it two straight over Hawai'i-Hilo.
After defeating the Vulcans in a non-conference match at McCabe Gym three weeks ago, UH-Hilo got some payback, this time in a match that counted in the conference standings.
UHH got 15 kills from Marley Strand-Nicolaisen as the 'Swords were downed in a Pacific West Conference match, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22, at UH-Hilo Gym Saturday.
The injury-riddled 'Swords fell to 0-2 in conference play and 7-5 overall while the Vulcans are off to a 2-0 start in the PacWest, 3-2 overall.
Cassie Rushlow paced Chaminade with 11 kills while
Suncica Bakic and
Madalene Barrett had eight each.
Ka Ua Cale had 15 assists -- the most since her freshman season -- and eight digs for the 'Swords, both team-highs.
After dropping the first set, Chaminade grabbed a 15-10 advantage in Set 2, but the Vulcans eventually tied it at 16. A 4-0 run late in the set gave Hilo the win and a 2-0 lead.
The 'Sword rallied in the third. Down 14-10, Chaminade took advantage of six Vulcan errors and jumped ahead, 19-18. However, the lead didn't last as Hilo went ahead then ended the match on a double-block by Callie Aberle and Shelby Harguess.
Chaminade led in several categories, including kills (39-34), assists (33-31), digs (63-57), while UH-Hilo had the advantage in hitting percentage (.183-.123), total team blocks (5-3) and service aces (6-3).
The Silverswords return to McCabe Gym on Friday when they host Hawai'i Pacific, then faces the Vulcans on Saturday in the rubber game of the series. Both matches will have streaming audio on GoSwords.com.
