HONOLULU – The No. 4 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team (22-1, 12-0 WAC) swept the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (11-16, 0-10) 25-13, 25-11 and 25-18 in front of a crowd of 5,306 at the Stan Sheriff Center Monday. The win extended UH's nation-long win streaks in conference matches won (37) and sets won (44).

 

Dani Mafua and Mita Uiato split the setting duties, keeping a balanced UH offense with seven players posting four or more kills. Alexis Forsythe came up with five kills, six blocks and a .833 hitting percentage in just two sets played, while Kristiana Tuaniga had a career-high five kills while hitting .625. Kanani Danielson hit .312 with six kills, seven digs and three aces in two sets.

 

Louisiana Tech started out the first set hot, taking leads of 4-1 and 6-4. But Hawai'i responded, using a six-point run on Danielson's serve to take a 10-6 advantage. UH would push their lead as high as 15-8 and 20-11 before taking the set 25-13.

 

Hawai'i opened an 11-5 edge to start the second set. LTU pulled it back to 11-8. But the Rainbow Wahine went on a big run, scoring 14 of the final 17 points, including the last eight points of the set, taking it 25-11.

 

Head Coach Dave Shoji started a lineup with all five freshmen in the third set. After the youngsters started the set down 4-2, Kaela Goodman served the team on a five-point run, putting UH ahead 7-4. Tech would pull back within a point on four occasions before Hawai'i pulled away, scoring nine of the last 12 points to win 25-18.

 

The Rainbow Wahine will stay at home for a non-conference match against Hawai'i Pacific on Friday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. The match will be preceded by the annual alumnae match, scheduled to start at 5 p.m.