FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball team started the 2023 season with a sweep of Alaska Thursday afternoon in a non-conference matchup as part of the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge in the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center.
The Vulcans took down the Nanooks by set scores of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-23.
The new-look Vulcans went with a starting lineup of Kamryn Childs, Taylor Tullo, Isabella Hadaller, Emerson Reinke, Chase Koepke and Raelee Samio with Tani Hoke at libero.
With the score at 22-22 in Set No. 1, Taylor Tullo hit through two blocking defenders as Tani Hoke followed with a mishandled-serve for an ace before closing out the win with another mishandled-serve by the Nanooks.
Set No. 2 saw the Vulcans charge back from an 8-13 deficit to rattle off 10-straight points and provide enough fuel on the way to victory.
With the match on the line, both teams battled to a 21-21 stalemate before Hawai'i Hilo took four of the next six points and sealed the win with Hadaller's 13th kill.
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 1-0 as Alaska fell to an 0-1 record.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kamryn Childs hits .818 on nine kills to go along with an ace, two blocks and two digs.
- After sitting out 2022 due to injury, Isabella Hadaller put down 13 kills along with three aces, one block and six digs in her Vulcans debut.
- Taylor Tullo — who also sat out the 2022 season — added 11 kills, two aces and four digs.
- Tani Hoke tallied 17 digs while Madelyn Blandford finished with 10.
- Emerson Reinke dished out 32 assists while adding four kills (.429), two blocks and six digs.
- The Vulcans (.229) just narrowly edged the Nanooks (.136) in hitting percentage.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo will continue its weekend slate with a matchup Friday, Aug. 25 against No. 14 Alaska Anchorage (0-0) back at Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at 11 a.m. (1 p.m. Alaska Time).
Vulcans will then close out with a doubleheader against both Alaska and Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge also includes two-time defending Pacific West Conference champion Chaminade, who played UAF Thursday evening.
Hawai'i Hilo will then have four matches on O'ahu Sept. 1-2 before hosting its home opener Sept. 16 against HPU to start the PacWest Conference season.
