HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team opened their home slate by surviving a five-set thriller over Saint Martin's University in Thursday's Hawai'i Challenge opener at McCabe Gymnasium.
 
The Silverswords got a team-high 18 kills from Lillie Hinton (Spicewood, Texas/Lake Travis) with Tabby Allen (Leander, Texas/Rouse) adding another 12 with three total blocks in their 25-15, 25-19, 21-25, 24-26, 15-11 victory.
 
Reina Krueger (Fort Collins, Colo./Liberty Commons) added another nine kills for the 'Swords who improved to 3-4.
 
Lilinoe Paschoal (Paukukalo, Maui, Hawai'i/Baldwin) dished out a career-high 38 assists and served up four service aces while adding another 12 digs. Shannon Sheehy (Phoenix, Ariz./University of San Francisco/Sandra Day O'Connor HS) had another 20 helpers
 
Kyra Pagud (Honolulu/Moanalua), who earlier in the week was named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week, had 20 digs for CUH. Malena Mihalik (Santa Fe, Argentina/San Eugenio) contributed with another 11 digs.
 
Emily Garten slammed down 15 kills for the Saints (2-3)
 
The Silverswords had as many as a nine-point lead early in the opening set, then allowed just one natural point in the final stages of the second.
 
SMU used a 5-0 run late in the third to force extra sets. A kill from Anicka Panchartek (Liberec, Czech Republic/Southeastern Louisiana University/SOSPO HS) set up match point for Chaminade at 24-23 but the Saints rallied for the final three points to set up a decisive fifth set.
 
A pair of Hinton kills along with blocks from Krueger and Paschoal and a Pagud ace helped key a 6-1 surge to help the 'Swords survive the match.
 
Chaminade put down 71 kills and hit .230 with 67 kills, 72 digs, seven aces and five total team blocks. The Saints hit .183 with 48 kills, 45 assists, 68 digs, three aces and 11 team blocks.
 
The Silverswords return to the McCabe Gym floor later this evening as the Challenge continues against Western Colorado University. Start time is 6 p.m.