Every Monday, GoSwords.com will publish "This Week in 'Swords History presented by Big City Diner" which looks back at significant events and some of the memorable games that helped shape Chaminade University Athletics into what it is today.
Oct. 2, 1985: Volleyball Upsets Top-Ranked BYUH
The women's volleyball team went through growing pains as the newest collegiate volleyball program in Hawai'i in the early 1980s. After debuting in 1984, they took their lumps especially against the established local programs like BYU-Hawai'i and Hawai'i Hilo, the latter of which won the previous four NAIA national championships.
On Oct. 2, 1985, BYUH entered McCabe Gymnasium for its match against Chaminade at the top of the NAIA national poll. The Seasiders were rolling with an unbeaten 8-0 mark including a five-set victory over the Silverswords a week earlier in Laie, a match that the 'Swords were up 2-1.
After two sets, the match was tied at one each. But the 11th-ranked 'Swords showed plenty of fight, rallying from 14-12 deficits in both the third and fourth sets to complete the 15-13, 5-15, 19-17, 16-14 upset.
Aulani Kauhane put down a match-high 23 kills for the 'Swords who defeated BYUH for the first time in seven tries.
Sweetie Aiwohi added 16 kills while
Lisa Pestrello and
Niulii Heine combined for 57 assists.
It was also the first-ever win for the Silverswords over a No. 1-ranked opponent. They were previously 0-6 against such foes.
