HILO, Hawai`i--Seniors
Armani Moultrie and
Kaila Lizama both posted career highs to help lead the host Hawai`i HIlo Vulcans to a three-set victory over a fiesty Fresno Pacific team on Saturday night at Vulcan Gym.
The 25-19, 26-24, 25-22 victory was UH HIlo's ninth straight, improving to 14-5 on the season and to 9-2 in the Pacific West Conference. Fresno Pacific, who went five sets with Chaminade on Thursday night, fell to 2-19 on the season and to 1-11 in the PacWest.
For a three-set match, the numbers were impressive.
Moultrie, a 5-11 middle blocker, had 17 kills and a .556 hitting percentage. LIzama, a 5-7 libero, had 29 digs, averaging nearly 10 digs a set. Moultrie's previous high was nine kills, Lizama's was 28 digs.
The uber consistent
Bria Beale added 14 kills and 22 digs, one get shy of her season best in that category.
The match featured terrific defense on both side. Bodies flying, balls kept alive for one more play. UH HIlo finished with 77 digs in three sets, and Fresno Pacific had 68.
The Vulcans led for the entire first set, moving out to a 24-16 lead. It was really the only non-close set of the night. Moultrie had six kills in the set, Beale had four and Lizama had a stunning 13 digs in the opening game.
The second set was a back and forth affair, with numerous ties--including at 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Prior to that, the Sunbirds had set point at 24-23, but the Vulcans scored the final three points, one of them on a Moultrie swing. She had six kills in the set and Beale had five. The third set was similar, tied at 17-17. The Vulcans then scored four of the next five points (21-18), and although the Sunbirds would close to 23-22, UHH closed out the evening at 25-22.
"Fresno Pacific is a scrappy team that doesn't quit," lauded Vulcan head coach
Chris Leonard. "We are still learning that you have to bring it every night in this conference, and it many ways tonight we did."
Fresno Pacific was led by freshman Corinne Acosta's 11 kills and 19 digs. Sierra LeBeau added 14 digs for the Sunbirds.
"I am pleased with how hard we worked." Leonard added. "We have to get ready to go again tomorrow, always looking to get better every time we hit the court."
The Vulcans will play their third match in four days on Sunday night, hosting Dominican at 7 pm.
