HONOLULU – On the first night that fans could return to McCabe Gymnasium in full, the Chaminade University women's volleyball put on a passing show.
In front of an energetic crowd of 136, the Silverswords' defense was in full display Wednesday as they swept Fresno Pacific, 25-18, 25-21, 25-15.
The 'Swords amassed 95 digs, setting a new school record for three-set matches while libero
Anna Dalla Vecchia (Vicenza, Italy/University of San Francisco/IIS S.B. Boscardin HS) came up with 34 digs, which is also a record in three-set matches to help Chaminade improve to 22-5 overall. They remain second in the PacWest standings at 12-3, just percentage points behind league-leading Azusa Pacific (10-1).
The 95 digs by the 'Swords is also the second highest for a three-set match in PacWest history. Only Dixie State, which had 97 in 2011, has more in a conference match.
Dalla Vecchia's total is the second most ever in a PacWest match, just missing the conference's three-set record of 37 set by Hawai'i Pacific's Tricia Yoshimura in 2008. She also has 524 digs this season to become the first 'Sword to ever post a 500-dig season.
Meanwhile
Marcelle Butler (Woodstock, Ga./Howard University/Sequoyah HS) slammed down a match-high 15 kills while
Greta Corti (Vicenza, Italy/University of San Francisco/Alessandro Manzoni Liceo HS) added 10 kills, 19 digs and three blocks for Chaminade.
Lataisia Saulala (Morgan Hill, Calif./Oakwood) contributed with eight kills while
Kyra McCain (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) and
Annah Rivera (Granada Hills, Calif./Bishop Alemany) each had seven with the latter posting 12 digs.
Setter
Alexia Byrnes (Chicago/Youngstown State/Saint Francis HS), who had a triple-double the last time she stepped on a court, nearly did it again, falling three kills shy, to go along with her 36 assists and 11 digs.
Tate Lutu (Honolulu/Sacred Hearts Academy) had all five Chaminade service aces, tying her career-high, and 10 digs.
Makena Ogas and Lauren Wamsley both had a team-high six kills for the Sunbirds (6-18, 3-11 PacWest).
The match was a lot closer to what the final score indicated. FPU had early leads in all three sets but the 'Swords were able to piece together runs midway through all three.
The Sunbirds had a 4-3 edge in the opening set but Chaminade ran off eight straight with Lutu getting three of her aces during the stretch.
FPU managed to grab an 18-14 advantage in the second set but a 9-1 'Swords surge, led by Corti's two kills and block solo, would end any chance of a squared match.
A 4-1 Fresno Pacific lead in the third set was followed by 10 consecutive side-outs. Then down 8-6, the 'Swords outscored the Sunbirds 12-4 to take control of the set with Rivera, Butler and Corti combining for seven kills during the run. Chaminade ended the match with five straight points, capped by Corti and
Alyssa Grodell (Valencia, Calif./Valencia) combining to block Ogas at aloha ball.
The 'Swords had 55 kills to the Sunbirds' 27 and held them to a .090 attack percentage while hitting .223 themselves. They also had 45 assists to FPU's 24.
The Silverswords will face Academy of Art on Saturday. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
