HONOLULU – For the second straight evening, the Chaminade University women's volleyball team's match went the distance.
Unfortunately, the outcome was the same.
Just 24 hours after falling in five sets to Pacific West Conference contender Biola University, the Silverswords couldn't hold on against Westmont College in another five-setter, dropping a 25-18, 17-25, 17-25, 25-22, 16-14 decision under once again warm and humid conditions at McCabe Gymnasium.
The 'Swords owned a late two-point lead in the final set and had match point before the Warriors rallied with big defensive plays and finishing attacks.
Chaminade fell to 10-10 overall and 4-6 in the PacWest in dropping back-to-back home matches for the first time this season.
Allison Panter (Denver, Colo./Portland State University/Denver School of Science and Technology HS), who set a career high in kills against Biola, established another standard with 14 against the Warriors. The junior outside hitter and setter also had six assists, three blocks and four service aces, three of which came in consecutive serves during the third set, to help Chaminade tie a season high with 13 aces.
Lillie Hinton (Spicewood, Texas/Lake Travis) contributed with 11 more kills with
Tabby Allen (Leander, Texas/Rouse) and
Beele Wieczorek (Wiesbaden, Germany/Elly-Heuss School) adding nine each.
Along with 20 assists and 13 digs, setter
Lilinoe Paschoal (Paukukalo, Maui, Hawai'i/Baldwin) dealt a career-best six aces.
Sina Bauer (Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany/Maximillian-von-Montgelas Gymnasium Vilsbiburg) posted her second double-digit dig match with a season-high 12.
Ceanna O'Loughlin had 11 kills for Westmont (7-9, 4-4 PacWest), which posted 17 total team blocks. O'Loughlin had seven blocks while Jordan Weston had 10. The Warriors defeated the 'Swords for the first time in six tries as members of the PacWest and their first win in the series since August 1990 when they were members of the NAIA.
After losing the first set, CUH stormed out to 19-12 lead in the next frame to square the match. Chaminade dealt seven aces in the third set including on Panter's three straight while Paschoal also had consecutive serves hit the Warriors' side of the floor which helped them take a two-sets-to-one edge.
However, a key 6-0 Westmont run in the fourth set helped force a decisive fifth, where the 'Swords built a 13-11 lead while also setting up match point at 14-13. But the Warriors' defense came up with big digs, ultimately leading to them scoring final three points of the match which gave them the improbable win.
The 'Swords put down 52 kills, but hit .113 with 34 attack errors, tallying 49 assists, 62 digs and eight total team blocks. The Warriors countered with 50 kills on 48 assists, 66 digs and six aces.
The Silverswords will look to end their five-match home stand on a positive note on Monday when they host Vanguard University at McCabe Gym with first serve at 6 p.m.
