HONOLULU – With an undefeated record and the highest national ranking in its Division II existence entering their three-match home stand, the Chaminade University women's volleyball team knew they would get the very best from their opponents.
Like they experienced on Thursday, the very best they saw proved to be too much to overcome.
The 12th-ranked Silverswords on Sunday suffered their second defeat in the finale of the home stand, dropping a 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20 loss to Concordia University Irvine at McCabe Gymnasium.
Ajack Malual (Rome, Italy/Tambosi ETI) put down a match-high 16 kills and hit .438 while
Greta Corti (Varese, Italy/Univ. of San Francisco/Alessandro Manzoni Liceo HS) added 12 kills and 15 digs for the 'Swords who fell to 13-2 overall and 2-2 in the Pacific West Conference. It also snapped Chaminade's four-match winning streak against the Golden Eagles.
Kennedy Farley and Sirra Schulz each had 14 kills for Concordia, which improved to 7-5 and 3-1 in the PacWest.
Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS) put down a season-high nine kills for the 'Swords and added three total blocks.
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) chalked up another double-double with 21 assists and 13 digs while
Hula Crisostomo (Honolulu/Univ. of Texas El Paso/Moanalua HS) picked up 17 digs. Freshman
Reina Krueger (Fort Collins, Colo./Liberty Commons) got her second straight start and had four blocks, three solo.
Down two-sets-to-one, Chaminade grabbed a 22-20 lead and seemed poised to tie the match but CUI scored the final three points of the frame to put the Silverswords in a 0-2 hole.
The 'Swords opened up a 9-3 Set 4 advantage but the Golden Eagles charged back and closed to within two points before Krueger solo roofed Danielle McCasland for the team's 24th point and Malual slammed down the clincher to force extra sets.
But Concordia took advantage of eight CUH errors – hitting, blocking and reception – to grab a 16-10 hold in the fourth set and eventually score the upset.
CUI outhit the 'Swords, 50-to-46, and held the edge in assists (45-41) and aces (10-5). Chaminade had more digs (79-64) while blocks were even at eight.
The Silverswords a much-needed nine days off before they return to competition on Oct. 4 when they open a four-match road swing starting Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Dominican University of California.
