HILO, Hawai'i – In the first meeting between the Chaminade University and Hawai'i-Hilo women's volleyball teams a month ago, the Vulcans outlasted the Silverswords in Honolulu.
And like the first meeting Wednesday's rematch went five. And it too went the way of the Vulcans, who came away with a 24-26, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 16-14 at UH-Hilo Gymnasium to sweep the season series.
The Silverswords fell to 14-6 overall and 7-5 in the Pacific West Conference while the Vulcans improved to 9-6 and 7-5.
It was the eighth time this season – and the fourth time in as many matches – that the 'Swords played in a decisive fifth set with Chaminade falling to 5-3 in such matches.
Keani Passi tied a career-high with 24 kills in defeat along with 12 digs.
Kim Spring added 12 kills on the night.
Cassie Rushlow added nine kills while
Reigna Johnson had eight and added five total blocks. Rushlow and
Daisia LaBrie each added three blocks with Rushlow contributing three service aces and LaBrie adding seven kills.
Natashya Enos had 30 assists along with a career-high 24 digs.
Skyler Curry dished out 23 assists
Marley Strand-Nicolaisen led UH-Hilo with 22 kills followed by Kyndra Trevino-Scott with 15.
The Silverswords used the service line to open up a large lead to begin the match. Chaminade owned an 8-4 lead with half of its points being aces courtesy of Enos and Spring with Rushlow getting consecutive aces, part of five aces in the first set by the visitors as the 'Swords opened up a 16-8 lead. But the Vulcans kept chipping away and eventually tied the score at 23. A Hilo hitting error put the Silverswords at set point and Passi ended it with a hard shot down the line for the winner.
The 'Swords owned a brief lead to open the second set but Hawai'i-Hilo went on a 5-0 run midway through to take a15-10 advantage. Chaminade made a brief run to close to 23-21 but Hilo managed to out-point the 'Swords in the end to square the match.
In the crucial third set, Kyndra Trevino-Scott put down three straight kills as a part of the Vulcans' 6-0 lead. But the Silverswords went to their go-to player as Passi put down five kills as Chaminade roared back to close to within 9-8. Johnson and Spring each put down successful attacks to knot the set at 10 and 11, respectively. The 'Swords then took a 12-11 lead on Katrina Johnson's attack error and continued to pour it on with successful attacks from Spring and Rushlow for a 15-12 lead. Chaminade then went on a 9-0 run to convincingly put the set away and take a 2-1 lead.
The Vulcans wouldn't go away quietly as they opened up an 11-3 advantage in their must-win fourth set. The 'Swords rallied with the help of
Kali LaBrie who put down three of her season-best four kills as they closed to 15-11 and later 23-20. But the Vulcans got enough down the stretch to square the match.
Hilo grabbed the early momentum with the first two points of the fifth but Chaminade got three straight on a Rushlow kill and pair of Vulcan hitting errors. The Silverswords forged a 7-all tie then ran off two straight via Johnson's kill and block to take a two-point lead. UH-Hilo charged back and took the advantage at 11-10. The teams traded points and at 14-14, Strand-Nicolaisen put down an attack to set up match point, then a CUH hitting error ended it.
The Vulcans got the victory despite the 'Swords owning the statistical outcome in kills (68-62), blocks (8-4), assists (62-57) and digs (97-96). But UHH got timely points at the service line with nine aces to Chaminade's six. The 'Swords also hurt themselves with 13 service errors, including a pair late in the critical fifth set.
The Silverswords' road trip continues Monday with their final Mainland trip of the regular season when they visit Dominican, the first of four matches in the Bay Area.
