HILO, Hawai'i – On Saturday, Chaminade University and University of Hawai'i Hilo women were the first course of a volleyball doubleheader that also featured the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior fall inter-squad scrimmage.
The Silverswords went the distance with the Vulcans in pulling out a 25-16, 20-25, 26-24, 20-25, 15-8 win in front of a crowd of 2,443 – the most-ever to witness at Chaminade volleyball match – at the historic Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Freshman outside hitter
Lillie Hinton (Spicewood, Texas/Lake Travis) slammed down a match-high 15 kills and had 13 digs for the Silverswords, who not only won their eighth straight to improve to 11-7 but also to 5-0 in the Pacific West Conference. It also extended their conference win streak to 31 straight dating back to late October of 2023 and was their eighth in a row against UH Hilo, their longest win streak in the rivalry that dates back to 1984.
Tabby Allen (Leander, Texas/Rouse) and
Alizaysha Sopi (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Tennessee State University/Kapolei HS) added 11 kills each with
Reina Krueger (Fort Collins, Colo./Liberty Commons) contributing with 10 kills and four blocks.
Beele Wieczorek (Wiesbaden, Germany/Elly-Heuss School) was a force at the net with six total blocks while putting down six attacks of her own.
Lilinoe Paschoal (Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i/Baldwin) dished out 27 assists with
Sina Bauer (Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany/Maximillian-von-Montgelas Gymnasium Vilsbiburg) setting a new career high with 27 digs.
Kyra Pagud (Honolulu/Moanalua) had 12 digs and
Allexis Iramina (Honolulu/Moanalua) 11 more digs along with 24 assists.
With women's collegiate volleyball at the Civic Auditorium for the first time since August 2007, the Silverswords used a 14-4 burst in the first set to turn an 11-7 deficit to a 21-15 lead to take the first set.
But the enthusiastic Hilo crowd anticipating UH Manoa, a two-time NCAA champion, saw the Vulcans even the match with their Set 2 win. With momentum on their side, UH Hilo was poised to take the match lead with a 24-22 edge. However, the 'Swords staved off two set points, thanks to Hinton and consecutive kills by Sopi to give them a crack at the third set. Sopi and Krueger then blocked Alohi Garcia's spike to complete the 4-0 run, giving CUH the 2-1 lead.
The Vulcans rallied back to take the fourth set, setting up a decisive fifth. But the 'Swords grabbed control, using a match-ending 10-4 run to continue their three winning streaks.
Chaminade hit .176 with 62 kills, 60 assists, 78 digs, five service aces and 10 total team blocks. UH Hilo was held to a .127 attack percentage, 48 kills on 46 assists, 73 digs, eight aces and 10 blocks.
The Silverswords, who won all five road matches on the trip including four in Southern California, return to O'ahu with six of their next seven matches at McCabe Gymnasium.
They open their home stand Friday against Biola University at 6 p.m. The match has been designated as "Dig Pink" where fans are encouraged to wear pink.
