First place is on the line this week for the Hawai`i Hilo Vulcan volleyball team when they host Biola (Wednesday) and Concordia on Saturday. Five teams in the Pacific West Conference have just one loss early in conference play, including the Vulcans (5-1), Biola (3-1) and Concordia (3-1).

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: Great volleyball action is coming to the UH Hilo Gymnasium this week, but no fans are allowed inside the building. Video stream is available.  Click here for more info..

THE VULCANS: UH Hilo won all four matches on their most recent norther California trip, improving to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Vulcans took down Dominican, Fresno Pacific, Academy of Art and Holy Names, only dropping a total of two sets along the way.

THE PACWEST: Every night is going to be a battle in ultra competive PacWest. In addition to the above mention Vulcans and two Eagles, Azusa Pacific and Chaminade are both 5-1, and Point Loma is one game back at 4-2.

EAGLES NEST ONE: Biola was unbeaten in conference play until dropping a five-set thriller to rival Azusa Pacific on Saturday. The Eagles are 7-5 overall with conference victories over Point Loma, Holy Names and Concordia. They also had an impressive non-conference sweep of then-No. 24 Simon Fraser. Madison Beebe leads the Biola offense with 3.45 kills per set, and preseason Libero of the Year Sami Hover averages 5.49 digs per set. UH Hilo leads the all-time series against the Eagles at 6-2, and the Vulcans have won the last two meetings between the two teams.

EAGLES NEST TWO: Concordia is an impressive 8-3 on the season heading into matches at Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific before they get to Hilo. In conference play (3-1) they have wins over Holy Names (3-0), Point Loma (3-2) and a stunning 3-set sweep of defending champion Azusa Pacific. Kirra Schulz leads the PacWest in service aces (0.54) and Daniela Poles leads a balanced offensive attack with 2.34 kills per set. UH Hilo leads the all-time series between the two teams at 6-4, and the Vulcans have won the last four meetings.

BY THE NUMBERS: UH Hilo is all over the top of the Pacific West Conference stat boards. As a team, the Vulcans lead the conference in hitting percentage (.231), kills per set (13.95), and digs (18.78) UHH is second in service aces (1.89). Kendall Kott leads the league in assists (10.83) and Bria Beale is tops in kills per set (3.92). Alex Parisian is second in aces (0.50), Ashton Jessee is third in hitting percentage (.331) and fourth in blocks (1.00). Tani Hoke is fourth in aces (0.44).

WHAT'S NEXT: The Vulcans will be home next week as well, hosting Dominican (Wednesday. Oct. 13) and Holy Names (Saturday).