HONOLULU – The Chaminade University beach volleyball team took on No. 19 Grand Canyon in the Hawai'i BeachBows Tournament (or more aptly referred to as "Senior Weekend" by the hosts) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the campus of the University of Hawai'i Manoa.
The Silverswords (3-7) fell to the Antelopes (12-13) by a final of 5-0, the 'Swords' first-ever meeting against a nationally-ranked opponent.
The No. 1 pairings of
Mahala Ka'apuni (Hilo, Hawai'i/Alaska Anchorage/Hilo HS) and
Hula Crisostomo (Honolulu/Univ. of Texas El Paso/Moanalua HS) fell to Krista Rowan and Sophie Hladyniuk in the opening set, 21-12, but the 'Swords fought back in the second, eventually taking the loss with a final of 21-16.
The No. 3 squad for the Silverswords of
Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS) and
Elli Tsukano (Austin, Texas/James Bowie) faced Karynn Garrow and A. Serrano Ferro. The 'Swords put up a good fight, losing 21-15 in Set 1, but the 'Lopes finished the match in Set 2 with a final of 21-13.
The Nos. 2, 4, and 5 pairs for GCU captured the win in their matches, sweeping all five flights on the day.
The Silverswords return to action at the Ching Athletics Complex against No. 12 and host Hawai'i on Sunday at 3 p.m., the first-ever meeting between the top two intercollegiate beach volleyball programs in the state. The matchup will also conclude UH's "Senior Weekend."
