RIVERSIDE, Calif.--Pacific West Conference leader California Baptist hit .513 and had 14 combined blocks to help pave the way for a 25-22, 25-12, 25-16 volleyball win over Hawai`i Hilo on Wednesday night in front of 536 fans at Van Dyne Gymnasium.

The host Lancers improved to 5-0 in conference action and to 10-3 overall with the victory, taking over sole possession of first place. The Vulcans dropped to an even 2-2 in PacWest play and they are now 4-5 overall. 

The pre-season conference favorite won their fifth match in a row and did so without making many mistakes. Every UH Hilo push was met by a Lancer roadblock, either at the net or in offensive efficiency.

CBU led for most of the first set, taking a five-point advantage at 18-13. The Vuls then made their best run of the night, closing to 22-20 on a Marley Strand-Nicolaisen kill and to 23-22 on a combined block by Sienna Davis and Armani Moultrie. But back-to-back attack errors gave the Lancers the set and ended what would be UHH's best opportunity of the evening.

The Lancers would go on a runs of seven straight points in the second set to take a 20-9 lead and an eventual 25-12 win. In the third set, CBU broke open a 11-10 game by winning eight of nine points on their way to the 25-16 set.

Strand-Nicolaisen led the Vulcans with 13 kills and Katrina Johnson contributed eight. Davis finished with 29 assists, while Trixie Croad and Mina Grant had seven digs each.

CBU had three players in double kill figures, led by Lauren Hackett's 13.

The Vulcans will have a short turnaround, taking on Azusa Pacific on Thursday at 5 p.m. Pacific time (2 p.m. Hawaii).