HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo women's volleyball team took the Golden Eagles to deep waters but fell in a five-set heartbreaker as Concordia University Irvine outlasted the Vulcans, 25-19, 20-25, 19-25, 25-17, 21-19, Wednesday night in Pacific West Conference play at the Vulcan Gymnasium.
The deciding fifth set was back and forth with 13 total ties as match point was extended six points past the 15-minimum threshold.
Nikki Logan (Huntington Beach, California/Edison HS) put down her 22nd kill of the match to help the Vulcans rally from a 14-12 deficit to even the game. The Golden Eagles advanced to regain the lead and force another match point, but kills by Sophia Charpentier (Rosemount, Minnesota/Rosemount HS) and Cara Bolte (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Maryknoll School) flipped the script and gave the Vulcans a match-point opportunity with a 16-15 lead.
But the Vulcans just weren't able to squeeze past as the Golden Eagles continued to catch up. Bolte put down two more kills and Samara Cruz (Escondido, California/Escondido HS) added her 20th to give Hawai'i Hilo additional match-point opportunities, but CUI's Ally Scheidle and Kirra Schulz combined for three consecutive kills of their own to snatch the win away.
By The Numbers
- Logan reached double-digit kills for the 11th time this season and surpassed the 20-kill mark for the second time in her career.
- Cruz's 20 kills matched a career high as she added 16 digs for a double-double. The junior also had two aces.
- Tani Hoke (Kailua, Hawai'i/Maryknoll School) tallied 33 digs for a new career high.
- Emerson Reinke (Arvada, Colorado/Ralston Valley HS) dished out a season-high 56 assists to reach the 600 mark in her career. The freshman also had 10 digs for her eighth double-digit total of the season.
- Kamryn Childs (Syracuse, Utah/Syracuse HS) placed a season-high five service aces and tallied 10 digs to reach double digits for the first time.
- In addition to her five kills, Bolte provided a force up front to combine with Sophia Charpentier (Rosemount, Minnesota/Rosemount HS) for four total blocks.
- Kendall Kott (Shingle Springs, California/Ponderosa HS) made an appearance for the first time in five games and Madelyn Blandford (Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i/Kealakehe HS) returned to action after missing the last 15 matches.
- Concordia University Irvine's Shulz dominated with 27 digs and 24 kills — the only CUI player to finish with double-digit kills.
- CUI's Michelle Feliciano and Devin Sivertson split the load with 31 and 21 assists, respectively.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo fell to 2-17 overall, 2-11 PacWest as Concordia University Irvine improved to 8-3 in the PacWest (11-7 overall).
The Vulcans will be back at Vulcan Gymnasium Saturday, Oct. 22 to take on Point Loma Nazarene (9-3 PacWest, 14-6 overall).
Saturday night will be Think Pink Night with an autograph signing session with the team to follow. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as stickers and wristbands will be giveaway items for fans in attendance.
The Golden Eagles will travel to O'ahu to play Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific.
