HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball team split its two matches on the opening day of the De Luz Chevrolet Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge with another five-set reverse sweep followed by a closely-dropped four-set affair.

The Vulcans fell into a 0-2 hole in their first matchup against Bemidji State (Minnesota) before turning it around to take the final three sets. Scores were 18-25, 28-30, 25-17, 25-16, 15-11.

Taylor Tullo led with 16 kills while Samara Cruz posted a double-double on 13 kills (.314) and 11 digs. Madelyn Blandford posted a match-high 15 digs and four service aces at libero.

In the nightcap, the Vulcans were dead even with the Lumberjacks after two sets, but Cal Poly Humboldt managed to squeak by to take the last two sets. Final scores were 23-25, 25-15, 27-29, 23-25. Kamryn Childs totaled 10 kills (.389).

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Hawai'i Hilo moved to 3-1 overall with Bemidji State at 0-1 and Cal Poly Humboldt at 1-1..

The Vulcans will close the weekend with two matches Saturday: first at 10 a.m. against Saint Martin's then at 7 p.m. against Western Oregon. The first 100 Vulcans fans for Saturday morning's match will receive a free GAME ON T-shirt.

DE LUZ CHEVROLET HAWAI'I FALL VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE

Hawai'i Hilo co-hosts the De Luz Chevrolet Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge. Other teams making their way to the Big Island include Bemidji State, Cal Poly Humboldt, HPU, Saint Martin's and Western Oregon. The three-day event runs Sept. 5-7 at the Vulcan Gymnasium. More information available at HiloAthletics.com/VBchallenge.