HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team had a rather lackluster home debut early Friday against Simon Fraser.
The Silverswords more than made up for it in their afternoon nightcap.
Just hours after their four-set win over the Red Leafs where they hit a season-low .200 and committed 15 service errors, the 'Swords got a convincing 25-9, 25-18, 25-17 win over Sonoma State in the second day of the Hawai'i Challenge at McCabe Gymnasium.
Ajack Malual (Rome, Italy/Tambosi ETI) put down a match-high eight kills with four blocks while
Mahala Ka'apuni (Hilo, Hawai'i/Alaska Anchorage/Hilo HS) added six kills to help Chaminade remain undefeated with a 6-0 mark.
Lizanyela Lopez (Lima, Peru/Trinity Valley CC/Saco Oliveros HS) and
Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS) each put down five kills while Lopez also had a season-high six blocks.
Greta Corti (Varese, Italy/Univ. of San Francisco/Alessandro Manzoni Liceo HS) and
Hula Crisostomo (Honolulu/Univ. of Texas El Paso/Moanalua HS) each dealt four service aces in the win with the former getting 11 digs and the latter adding eight.
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) had 14 assists for the 'Swords.
Jackie Winfield led the Seawolves (1-1) with six kills as Chaminade held them to a .000 attack percentage.
A 7-0 CUH run early in the first set was a harbinger of events to come in the match while a 6-0 surge helped keep SSU from hitting double-digit points in the frame.
The Seawolves responded by a 13-all tie in Set 2 but an 11-3 run helped the 'Swords take a two-set lead.
There was also a bit of drama in what turned out to be the final set. Leading 16-15, Chaminade finally got some separation with Corti slamming down two straight kills while also providing a service ace to push their advantage to 23-16. Ama put down a kill and, on aloha ball,
Kendall Rios (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) sealed it with an ace.
The 'Swords hit .231 in the match with 22 assists, 34 digs, 11 aces and 10 total team blocks. The Seawolves had just three aces and four blocks as a team.
Chaminade's two Friday victories set up a showdown with Cal Poly Pomona (3-0) on Saturday, a rematch of last November's NCAA West Regional semifinal won by the 'Swords, who as the No. 8 seed, upset the fourth-seeded Broncos. Pomona is currently ranked 23rd in the AVCA Division II Top 25 Poll while the Silverswords are just outside the rankings at 26. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
Following the match, he 'Swords will conclude the Hawai'i Challenge against American International College at 7 p.m.
