HILO, Hawai`i—Senior outside hitter Evelin Solyomvari tied a career high with 14 kills to lead a balanced Hawai`i Hilo attack as the Vulcans cruised to a 25-19, 25-16, 25-18 win over Saint Martin's in Friday's second match of the First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge at Vulcan Gymnasium.

It was the season opener for both teams. The Vulcans will square off with UC San Diego (1-0) tonight at 7:30 p.m. to wrap up Friday's six matches.

Solyomvari reached 14 kills with a sizzling .400 hitting percentage, but she also had help on a productive morning. Sophomore transfer Bria Beale (UC Irvine) added 11 kills, three service aces and 15 digs, while freshman outside hitter Teisa Tuioti added eight kills.

"We were pretty balanced tonight, that could likely be our theme when things are going well," said Vulcan head coach Gene Krieger.

Mina Grant had 21 digs, a rousing seven digs per set. The Vulcans had 61 total digs on defense. "That's a good total for a three-set match," Krieger added. "Overall, it was a good start and it certainly feels good to be 1-0."

The Vulcans never trailed in a match that took just under one hour and 20 minutes. They hit. 333 in the second set, and finished the match off with a Beale kill off the block.

"All the matches in this tournament are designed to be tough," Krieger said of his seven-team field, featuring top Division II teams from four different conferences. "We get a real test tonight against UC San Diego, annually one of the top teams in the west."