HILO, Hawai'i – In the Chaminade University women's volleyball team's three-set win over Hawai'i Pacific University on Thursday, the Silverswords tallied only two total team blocks.
On Saturday at Vulcans Gymnasium, the 18th-ranked 'Swords broke out a block party.
Chaminade amassed a season-high 12 total team blocks – with 24 block assists – in their 26-28, 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 win over the University of Hawai'i Hilo.
Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS) had eight total blocks, which tied the career high she originally set as a member of the University of Alaska back in 2021. She also had nine kills and hit .571.
Ajack Malual (Rome, Italy/Tambosi ETI) also got into the blocking fun with four along with a match-high 18 kills, one shy of her career high. She also had four service aces with a .414 attack percentage.
Greta Corti (Varese, Italy/Univ. of San Francisco/Alessandro Manzoni Liceo HS) chipped in with 11 kills and 12 digs and
Lizanyela Lopez (Lima, Peru/Trinity Valley CC/Saco Oliveros HS) added eight kills and four blocks.
The win improved the Silverswords to 19-2 on the season and 7-2 in the Pacific West Conference, moving them into a tie with Biola for second in the conference standings.
Heavenly Campbell (Waialua, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Idaho/Damien HS) added nine kills in the win. Reigning PacWest Player of the Week
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) tied her season high with 49 assists, the most in a four-set match this season.
Hula Crisostomo (Honolulu/Univ. of Texas El Paso/Moanalua HS) had 17 digs and four aces.
Taylor Tullo led UH Hilo (7-9, 4-4 PacWest) with 13 kills.
In front of an energized crowd of UH Hilo fans, Chaminade hit just .111 in the opening set as the Vulcans took the opener. It marked just the fourth time this season the 'Swords lost the opening set.
After a seesaw start to the second set, Lopez and Malual blocked Tullo to put Chaminade up, 9-8, a lead that later extended to 15-11. The 'Swords would end the frame on a 7-1 run to tie the match at one, thrilling a vocal number of CUH supporters, thanks to the hometown returns of
Mahala Ka'apuni (Hilo, Hawai'i/Alaska Anchorage/Hilo HS) and head coach
Kahala Kabalis Hoke.
With UH Hilo grabbing a 14-12 lead in the pivotal third set, Schilling accounted for four straight points on two kills and two blocks to put the 'Swords ahead, 16-14. The Vulcans closed to within 18-17 but Lopez put down two kills then Malaul ripped down two successful attacks including at set point to put Chaminade up, 2-1.
In what proved to be the decisive set, the Silverswords used a 6-0 run cut a 12-11 deficit to a 17-12 edge, followed by another run, this time 6-1, to help the 'Swords secure the win.
Chaminade hit .277 to UH Hilo's .134 and surrendered just two total team blocks. The 'Swords amassed 59 kills with 57 assists, 13 aces and 58 digs. The Vulcans assisted on 37 of their 41 kills, had 40 digs and two aces.
The Silverswords open a three-match home stand Wednesday against Biola with the winner moving into sole possession of second place in the PacWest. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
