IRVINE, Calif--One streak ended and another got bigger on Monday night at the CU Arena between two of the top volleyball teams in the Pacific West Conference.
League-leading UH Hilo saw their eight-match win streak come to a halt and their perch atop the conference standings replaced during a 25-21, 25-11, 25-18 loss to host Concordia on Monday night. The Vulcans dropped to 9-2 in the PacWest and to 12-3 overall, while the Eagles moved to 8-3 in conference action and 13-5 on the year.
Azusa Pacific was idle, and moved into first place with a 8-1 mark.
Concordia's last loss was to the Vulcans in a thrilling five-setter early this month in Hilo, and they have now won four straight. They won tonight in dominant fashion, hitting a scorching .349 on the night. The Vulcans hit just .139 and had just one block on the night.
The first set was tight but the Eagles pulled away late with consistent hitting. Kira Schulz had six kills in the first game and her team hit .349 (25-21). CUI rolled in the second set, hitting .323 and still not allowing a Vulcan block at the net (25-11).
In the third, the Vulcans led through the first half of the set but the home team pecked away to take their first lead at 16-15 and wouldn't trail again. They finished the night with another strong set (.371) to win pulling away (25-18).
Schulz and Patience O'Neal led the Eagles with 13 kills.
Samara Cruz led the Vulcans with 11 kills.
Bria Beale had eight kills and 12 digs,
Kendall Kott had 25 assists and
Madelyn Blandford had 10 digs.Â
The Vulcans will next head south to take on Point Loma in San Diego on Wednesday night. They will complete the southern California trip with a Friday night match-up at Biola.
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