Volleyball Takes Two, Improves to 4-0

HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team made a loud statement that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.
 
The Silverswords completed the Honolulu Invitational Saturday with a sweep of two highly regarded schools from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
 
The Silverswords opened the day by toppling No. 12 Sonoma State 26-24, 16-25, 25-17, 25-18. The Seawolves were the highest ranked opponent Chaminade has beaten in nine years since they defeated eighth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney in September 2006.
 
Keani Passi put down a match-high 15 kills in the afternoon win while Cassie Rushlow had 12.
 
Chaminade concluded the tournament with a 22-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22 win over Humboldt State. Passi again had a team-best 13 kills while Kim Spring had 11 in the victory.
 
The Silverswords (4-0) were the only team in the seven team field to go undefeated. No other squad was better than 2-2.
 
 
Chaminade vs. No. 12 Sonoma State
Early on, it appeared that the Silverswords were on the verge of losing their third consecutive Set 1 this season as the defending CCAA champions built a 24-18 lead. But the 'Swords staved off six consecutive set points then forced Sonoma State into two hitting errors, part of an 8-0 run to give Chaminade the first set victory.
 
In the second set, SSU used an 8-1 run to turn a 10-9 deficit to a 17-11 lead as Sonoma State tied the match.
 
In the pivotal third set and Chaminade nursing a 16-15 advantage, Passi and Rushlow combined for five kills during a decisive 7-1 run to help seal the win. Rushlow and Reigna Johnson ended the set by pushing back Morgan Annala's attack.
 
In Set 4, the Silverswords looked to put the match away in a rout, holding an 18-9 lead but Sonoma State charged back with six straight points. The 'Swords then built the lead back courtesy of three Seawolf errors and a Kira Long kill, followed by successful attacks by Passi and Johnson to set up aloha ball. Rushlow and Johnson again teamed at the net to stuff back a Sonoma spike to complete the win.
 
Chaminade hit .317 in the match and out-blocked Sonoma State 9-7. The Seawolves fell to 2-2.
 
 
Chaminade vs. Humboldt State
Some four hours after beating Sonoma State, the Silverswords returned to the court and again started slow out of the gate, spotting the Lumberjacks as many as a five-point cushion before rallying back. Rushlow and Daisia LaBrie had back-to-back kills to draw the 'Swords to within a point at 22-21 but Humboldt scored three of the last four points of the set to go up 1-0.
 
In the second set, Chaminade trailed 23-22 but scored the final three points on a Suncica Bakic kill, an HSU attack error and Spring's twisting roll shot that found the floor which tied the set.
 
LaBrie had back-to-back kills to end the third set and in the fourth, the 'Swords sealed the victory with Spring's successful attack.
 
Chaminade amassed 10 total team blocks and served up five aces to the Jacks' two. Passi recorded her second straight double-double with 10 digs in addition to her kill total. Brenda Walker had 17 digs to lead CUH.
 
Kaitlyn Dunaway had a match-high 22 kills for Humboldt State, which dropped to 2-2.
 
The Silverswords will return to the McCabe Gym floor on Labor Day Monday when they face Saint Martin's (0-4) in a rematch of Friday's win by Chaminade. The match is set for 10 a.m. with live streaming audio on GoSwords.com.