HILO, Hawai'i – After suffering their first defeat of the season Friday afternoon, the Chaminade University women's volleyball team returned the favor to Cal State Los Angeles.
The Silverswords got a balanced attack while holding CSULA to a .127 hitting percentage, its lowest of the year, in a 25-23, 25-19, 27-25 win at the Hilo Naniloa Hawai'i Challenge Saturday morning at Vulcans Gymnasium.
Four 'Swords had six or more kills, led by
Keani Passi's 12.
Reigna Johnson added eight while
Kim Spring had seven.
Daisia LaBrie and
Cassie Rushlow each had six as Chaminade hit .319 in the match as it handed the Golden Eagles their first loss of the year (7-1). Johnson hit .889 in the match while attempting nine spikes with no errors.
At 7-1, the Silverswords equaled the program's best start eight-match start since 2007 when that team started the year 8-1.
Iona Lofrano led CSULA, who received 46 points in this week's AVCA Coaches Poll, with nine kills.
Chaminade rallied from 22-20 deficit in the first set behind Johnson's two kills and block assist as the 'Swords scored the set's final five points to stun the Eagles.
In Set 2, a 5-0 run midway through proved to be the stanza's pivotal point as Passi, LaBrie and Spring each put down attacks as well as a
Kasse-Ann Kiriu-Dela Cruz service ace to put the 'Swords up for good.
In the third set, Chaminade rallied from 11-6 deficit and eventually took the lead and had two chances at match point. The Eagles rallied to tie it at 25 before Johnson got her final spike of the day to give the 'Swords a 26-25 advantage and at Chaminade's third aloha ball, forced a CSULA hitting error which ended the match.
Natashya Enos returned to the starting lineup after suffering an injury that sidelined her for most of Friday's first meeting and dished out a match-high 22 assists while adding nine digs.
Brenda Walker had a match-high 12 digs as the 'Swords out-dug the Eagles 47-33.
The Silversword return home to McCabe Gym Friday where they open Pacific West Conference play against Holy Names. The 'Swords then face new conference member Concordia on Saturday. Both matches will have live streaming audio on GoSwords.com.
