HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo wrapped up play of a two-day four-game slate as part of the Magic Island Classic by Ala Moana Hotels by Mantra with losses to San Francisco State and Western Oregon Saturday at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
The Vulcans finish the non-conference season at 0-6 and will have two weeks to prepare for the Pacific West Conference opener against Hawai'i Pacific at home on Sept. 10.
San Francisco State 3, Hawai'i Hilo 2: (25-18, 25-20, 12-25, 20-25, 13-15)
The Vulcans had a short turnaround after last night's game with an early 9 a.m. start time against SFSU, and they quickly went to work going up two sets to none.
UH Hilo closed out the opening frame with five-straight points fueled by a pair of kills by Kamryn Childs (Syracuse, Utah/Syracuse HS) and another from Nikki Logan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison HS).
Set No. 2 saw the Vulcans pace their way to victory by holding onto a late six-point lead, and again, finishing it off with a pair of kills from Childs and Samara Cruz (Escondido, Calif./Escondido HS).
From there, the Gators seemed to be open for business as they took control and held momentum to even the match with back-to-back set wins to force the deciding fifth frame.
Hawai'i Hilo continued to battle to prevent the reverse-sweep, and with SFSU two points away from victory, the Vulcans found a last-will burst of fire to rally for four-consecutive points to make it a one-point match. But after trading a point apiece, San Francisco State was able to get to the deciding score on Tamiya Wilson's team-leading 17th kill.
Western Oregon 3, Hawai'i Hilo 1: (22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 17-25)
The Vulcans again played tough against the Wolves, going back and forth, but it just wasn't enough as Western Oregon was able to close out late for the wins.
UH Hilo looked to make the uphill climb after taking the third set by leaping out to a 7-1 score and eventually shutting the door on a trio of consecutive points. But the battle seemed to be too much for the well-weathered and short-handed Vulcan squad as WOU took the match in four sets.
Cruz put down a career-high 17 kills followed by Logan's 16 — also a career best.
Emerson Reinke (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley HS) racked up 44 assists.
Magic Island Classic by Ala Moana Hotels by Mantra All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player
Jenna Patton, Cal State San Bernardino
Ashley Robbins, Cal State San Bernardino
Laruen Stenman, Lewis
Gabby Rawson, Stanislaus State
Kimberly DeBoer, San Francisco State
Tamiya Wilson, San Francisco State
Brooklen Pe'a, Chaminade
