IRVINE, Calif. – When the Chaminade University and Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball teams met for the first time this season back on Sept. 24, the Golden Eagles walked out of McCabe Gymnasium with the upset.
In Thursday's rematch at the CU Arena, the Silverswords returned the favor.
Greta Corti (Varese, Italy/Univ. of San Francisco/Alessandro Manzoni Liceo HS) slammed down a career-high 24 kills while scooping up a season-high 18 digs to help No. 15 Chaminade open their crucial southern California road trip in their 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19 victory.
Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS) added a season-best 15 kills and three total blocks as the Silverswords – who open their trip against the two opponents who handed them losses this season – won their 10th straight to improve to 23-2 overall and 11-2 in the Pacific West Conference.
The 'Swords also extended their PacWest road winning streak to 19. Their last conference loss on the road was at Biola back on Oct. 25, 2021. They have also won 20 straight road matches dating back to Sept. 2022.
Mahala Ka'apuni (Hilo, Hawai'i/Alaska Anchorage/Hilo HS) added another 13 kills for Chaminade, which amassed 67 kills to CUI's 37.
Heavenly Campbell (Waialua, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Idaho/Damien HS) chipped in with six kills while
Lizanyela Lopez (Lima, Peru/Trinity Valley CC/Saco Oliveros HS) had five kills and three blocks.
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) dished out a season-high-tying 49 assists along with 18 digs while
Hula Crisostomo (Honolulu/Univ. of Texas El Paso/Moanalua HS) had 17 digs of her own. Meanwhile,
Nanna Inoue (Kula, Maui, Hawai'i/Tyler JC/King Kekaulike HS) was one dig shy of being the fourth Silversword to reach double-digits in the category and
Grace Talpash (Temecula, Calif./University of Oklahoma/Great Oak HS) tied her season best with seven digs as Chaminade out-dug Concordia, 73-to-56.
Kirra Schulz led CUI (10-10, 6-6 PacWest) with 10 kills.
After trailing early in the opening set, the 'Swords closed the frame on a 19-7 run with Corti, whose previous career-high in kills was 21 in the spring of 2021 while playing at the University of San Francisco, putting down four spikes while Ka'apuni had two more.
After a see-saw start to the second set, Campbell put down three kills during a key 5-0 run to put the 'Swords up, 19-15. Campbell also delivered her first service ace of the season during another CUH 5-0 run, this one to put the team up, 2-0.
The Golden Eagles took the third set after hitting .359 in the frame then were poised to send the match to a fifth after grabbing an 8-5 lead in the fourth. But the Silverswords ran off another 5-0 run with Campbell accounting for four points with two kills and a pair of block assists. CUI got within 13-12 but the 'Swords put their foot down, as Corti and Schilling combined for all seven of Chaminade's kills during the 9-0 surge to help them pull away.
The 'Swords hit .288 in the match and limited the Golden Eagles to a .159 attack percentage. Chaminade also had 60 assists, six aces and six total team blocks. Concordia had 35 assists, five aces and seven blocks.
The Silverswords' revenge tour continues Saturday when they face conference-leading and undefeated Point Loma (12-0) at Golden Gymnasium in a match that will have PacWest championship implications. The Sea Lions handed the 'Swords their first loss of the season back on Sept. 21. Saturday will also mark the 1,000th all-time match in program history.
