Box Score Box Score
HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i women's volleyball team (9-1) swept BYU (3-8), 25-23, 25-11, and 25-10 in front of a crowd of 5,949 at the Stan Sheriff Center Friday.
Kanani Danielson and
Michelle Waber led the 'Bows with 10 kills a piece, while
Chanteal Satele added eight kills and
Emily Hartong hammered six on the night.
Brittany Hewitt led Hawai`i with four blocks and three kills.
Elizabeth Ka'aihue led the team with 15 digs while
Dani Mafua dished a balanced attack with 26 assists.
The 'Bows built up a 20-14 lead in the middle of the game, boosted by three straight kills by Waber. But the Cougars would claw back, eventually cutting their deficit to as close as 24-23. But Hewitt blocked back an overpass to end the first set, 25-23. UH was led by Waber and Satele's four kills a piece in the set.
Tough serving was the name of the game in the second set. The 'Bows jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead behind the strong serving of Ka`aihue, who stymied the Cougars with a pair of aces as well as tough serves that caused overpasses leading to kills by Mafua and Danielson. In all, the 'Bows reeled off six aces in the set en route to a 25-11 score in set two.
After alternating points to begin the third set, UH took control of the game, jumping out to a commanding 13-4 lead. Ka`aihue's serve again gave BYU trouble, as UH notched eight straight points with her at the service line. UH never looked back took the final set, 25-10.
Danielson inched closer to reaching the 1,000 kill milestone. With tonight's 10 kills, the junior is holding at 996 kills.
It was the first non-tournament game for the Rainbow Wahine this season and for BYU, it marked the first time they won or lost in three sets. Previously, all of their matches thus far this season went at least four sets.
Hawai`i will close the two-game series with BYU tomorrow night, with the first serve slated for 7:05 p.m.
-UH-
