ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team concluded the fifth annual Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge presented by Alaska Airlines Saturday with a straight-set defeat to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Silverswords, ranked ninth in the AVCA Preseason Poll, fell to 0-3 in the 25-19, 28-26, 25-14 loss at the Alaska Airlines Center, the program's first such start since 2000.
Five 'Swords had at least six kills, with
Malena Mihalik (Santa Fe, Argentina/San Eugenio) and
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) with seven each.
Tabby Allen (Leander, Texas/Rouse),
Reina Krueger (Fort Collins, Colo./Liberty Commons) and
Lillie Hinton (Spicewood, Texas/Lake Travis) had six apiece with Krueger getting a pair of blocks. Hinton, who totaled 34 kills in the three matches, was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Lilinoe Paschoal (Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i/Baldwin) led Chaminade with 21 assists while Ama added 11 and 10 digs. Paschoal and
Sina Bauer (Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany/Maximillian-von-Montgelas Gymnasium Vilsbiburg) both had 12 digs.
The Nanooks (3-1) were paced by Haylee Lyons' 12 kills.
After dropping the opening set, Chaminade got consecutive kills from
Alizaysha Sopi (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Tennessee State University/Kapolei HS) and Mihalik for a 23-22 advantage in the second. After seven straight side outs, UAF was able to grab a 27-26 lead then got the final kill of the set for a 2-0 lead.
The Nanooks opened the third set with a 12-4 lead to win the match in three, marking the first time the 'Swords were swept by UAF since 1994.
Chaminade hit .128 in the match with 37 kills, all assisted, 55 digs, three service aces and three total team blocks.
Alaska hit .246 with 43 kills, 37 assists, 53 digs, four aces and 5.5 team blocks.
The Silverswords will make their McCabe Gymnasium debut Thursday in the Hawai'i Challenge when they host Cal State Los Angeles at noon then Cal Poly Humboldt at 6 p.m. The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Cal State East Bay, St. Mary's of Texas and the University of Hawai'i Hilo will also compete in the tournament with matches also taking place at Hawai'i Pacific University's Shark Tank.
