HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team continues to make history.
The Silverswords improved to 10-1 on the season, the best start in program history in a 26-24, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17 win over Dominican University of California in a Pacific West Conference match Thursday at McCabe Gym.
Keani Passi had a match-high 18 kills while
Kim Spring put down a season-high 17 for the Silverswords, who improved to 3-0 in the PacWest for the first time since 2003 when current head coach
Kahala Kabalis Hoke was a junior outside hitter.
Daisia LaBrie added 11 kills while hitting .529 in the match with three total blocks.
Cassie Rushlow contributed with 10 kills on the evening.
The Penguins (3-5, 0-2 PacWest) were led by Aimee Steinwand's 16 kills.
Passi and Spring added 13 and 11 digs, respectively as four 'Swords tallied double-doubles.
Natashya Enos had 31 assists and 14 digs while fellow setter
Skyler Curry had a season-best 21 assists with 11 digs.
Chaminade quickly jumped out of the first set as Spring opened the frame with three straight kills and a 3-0 lead. But the Penguins charged back, grabbing as many as a four-point lead at 12-8 and a forcing a timeout by the home team. DUC maintained the advantage, building a 24-21 lead with 15 of its points coming via Chaminade attack, service and setting errors. But the 'Swords were undaunted as Passi, Rushlow and Spring combined for four kills as they went on a 5-0 run to end the set, giving it them a 1-0 lead.
The second set went back-and-forth with the largest lead held by Chaminade at 12-9. But the Penguins had other ideas, again rallying and eventually overtaking the 'Swords at 17-16. DUC maintained the lead and again, had set point at 24-21. This time the Penguins finished the job as a hitting error tied the match at 1.
In the pivotal third set, Chaminade was able to build a 20-16 advantage but the Penguins scored four straight to tie the set at 20. Successful attacks from Rushlow and Passi followed by
Brenda Walker's free ball kill put the 'Swords up 24-21. A service error by DUC gave Chaminade the match lead at 2-1.
In Set 4, Chaminade took control early, jumping ahead 13-9 which prompted a Dominican timeout. Passi and LaBrie then combined for a block and the 'Swords forced two more DUC attack errors then Passi's 17
th kill of the night gave Chaminade a 17-9 advantage. The Penguins were not able to recover as the 'Swords won the set and match.
Chaminade had 68 kills to Dominican's 40 and also dominated in assists, 61-40. Both teams also had four total team blocks. The 'Swords, who came into the match leading the conference in defensive hitting percentage, held the Penguins to a .188 clip on the evening.
The Silverswords will look to extend their best-ever start Saturday when they host Hawai'i-Hilo in a PacWest match Saturday at McCabe Gym. Live streaming audio coverage will start at 7 p.m.
