HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo women's volleyball team went the distance Monday night at the Vulcan Gymnasium with a five setter against Academy of Art but fell just short with scores of 20-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22 and 11-15 to wrap-up the first home stand of Pacific West Conference play.
The match saw 45 total ties, including six in the final set. After an eight-all score, the Urban Knights nabbed back-to-back kills and back-to-back aces to be the difference to pull away for the marathon win.
Career bests were abundant for the Vulcans as Nikki Logan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison HS) put down 26 kills and four total blocks, Samara Cruz (Escondido, Calif./Escondido HS) added 18 kills, Maile Goss (San Diego, Calif./San Marcos HS) totaled 12 digs and Emerson Reinke (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley HS) dished out 55 assists.
Amalie Rupertova led ART U with 29 points on 24 kills and five aces to go along with 29 digs.
Maya McClellan followed with 20 kills, 16 digs and four total blocks.
The opening set saw the most ties with 12 to go along with seven lead changes. With the Vulcans holding an 18-17 point lead, the Urban Knights strung together four kills on five points to pull away.
Set No. 2 saw similar action but in favor of the Vulcans. After 10 tied scores, Cruz notched consecutive kills as part of a four-point cluster followed by consecutive kills from Logan to help UH Hilo even the match.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo will hit the road for its first trip to the continental United States with a four-game slate in southern California, first taking on Azusa Pacific (5-5 overall, 2-1 PacWest) Monday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. (6 p.m. Pacific Time).
The Vulcans will return home for their second homestand starting Wednesday, Oct. 12.
ART U returns to California to play Fresno Pacific next weekend.
