HILO, Hawai`i--Two matches in one day against two top teams, sure. Ten sets in 12 hours, sure why not.

After dropping a match 16-14 in the fifth set this morning to Alaska Anchorage, the Vulcans went five sets with rival Chaminade in the evening bout, this time winning 16-14 in the fifth. It was the fourth time this year that the 'Swords and Vulcans had gone the distance, with UHH prevailing in three of those long distance races.

UHH won this one 25-20, 21-25, 27-25, 22-25, 16-14. The Vulcans improved to 12-2 in the spring season with the victory, while Chaminade was just a couple points away from getting back to .500 (6-8).

Bria Beale had 17 kills and 19 digs to lead UH Hilo, while Brooklen Pe`a paced Chaminade with 14 kills and six service aces. 

It was a heavyweight bout that lasted two hours and 31 minutes. For the day, the Vulcans played just around five hours of volleyball.

UH Hilo took the first set when Ashton Jesse had five kills in six attack attempts. UHH hit .353 in the set to win, 25-20. The Silverswords then led for the entire second set, eventually closing out the game on a Rachel Ready kill (25-21) to even the sets at 1-1.

The pivotal third set went back and forth with 13 ties and numerous lead changes. Chaminade eventually took a 24-22 lead, only to see the Vulcans fight off two set points with a kill by Beale and an ace by Kendall Kott. The 'Swords scored next, but UHH leveled the score on a Alexandria Parisian kill (25-25) and then would take the lead on another Parisian point. A CUH error gave the Vulcans the final point of the set, 27-25.

The Vulcans looked to close things out in the fourth set, taking a 10-5 lead on a Cara Bolte kill. But Chaminade had other ideas, rallying back and taking a 17-16 margin on a block by Kyra McCain. Beale then scored three straight points for the Vulcans and her fourth point down the stretch tied it at 22-22. But Chaminade scored the final three points of the set to force a fifth, 25-22.

UHH battled from behind in the fifth, down 5-1 and 10-6. The home team still trailed 11-8 before scoring three straight points to tie it--one on a Kamilla Marinas kill, another on a Beale kill and the tying point on a Tani Hoke ace. UHH then got their first lead of the fifth set on a block (12-11), but the teams would be tied again at 12-12, 13-13 and 14-14.

Parisian put UHH up in overtime at 15-14, and then the Vulcans closed the match with a block, their 12th of the night, to win the marathon.

Joining Beale in double figure kill totals was Parisian with 12 and she also had 14 digs. Jessee finished with 11 kills and six block assists. Hoke had 19 digs on the defensive side, and the setter Kott had 39 assists, 15 digs and four kills. Taira Kaawaloa had eight kills and 14 digs. 

Lataisia Saulaia had 12 kills for Chaminade, as did Reedy. Claire Zanon had a robust 30 digs for the 'Swords, her single-match high for the season. Pe`a's ace total (6) was the second highest for a PacWest player this season, behind Beale's seven.

The Vulcans won't play ten sets on Friday, as they will play just one match at 7 pm against Alaska Anchorage. Chaminade will play UAA in the Saturday 10 am match, and then play Hawaii Pacific at 2:30.

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