Lopez Earns PacWest Honor, Team Moves Up in AVCA Poll

Chaminade University middle blocker Lizanyela Lopez (Lima, Peru/Trinity Valley CC/Saco Oliveros HS) on Monday was named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week while the Silverswords moved up to No. 9 in the latest AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Lopez totaled eight blocks to help the 'Swords defeat in-state rival Hawai'i Pacific University and the University of Hawai'i Hilo over the weekend to remain undefeated in the conference at 10-0 and 17-4 overall. The senior tallied six blocks against the Sharks and two more against the Vulcans as the 'Swords held them to a combined .049 attack percentage. Their 15 total team blocks against HPU was also the most since posting 16 against BYU-Hawai'i in 2016.
 
Her presence against UH Hilo on Saturday was key to help Chaminade rally from a 2-1 deficit, limiting the Vulcans to a combined minus-.145 attack percentage in the final two sets.
 
After two weeks at the 10th spot and relatively no change in the AVCA poll, the Silverswords moved up to No. 9 as a result of a rather chaotic weekend in the top 10.
 
MSU Denver, which Chaminade defeated on Sept. 14 and remains its only loss this season, is now atop the poll after previous No. 1 University of Tampa lost to Barry University on Saturday. Nebraska-Kearney (No. 3 last week) dropped to sixth after a loss to Central Oklahoma and previous seventh-ranked Southwest Minnesota State fell to 12th after suffered two losses over the weekend.
 
Point Loma (15-0, 9-0) is the only other PacWest team in the poll, remaining at No. 16. The Sea Lions visit the islands this week, playing HPU and UH Hilo, but due to the conference's unbalanced schedule, will not be facing the 'Swords. The two will have their only regular season meeting on Nov. 15 in San Diego.
 
The Silverswords this week will face conference newcomer Vanguard University on Friday and Concordia University Irvine on Saturday. A pair of victories will give the program its 500th all-time win.