SAN DIEGO, California – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball fell in three sets to No. 5 Point Loma (22-25, 16-25, 23-25) Monday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Golden Gymnasium.
Both squads combined to commit just 24 total attacking errors with the Sea Lions totaling just one error in each of the first two sets while the Vulcans posted a zero in Set 2. PLNU entered the match ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II at kills per set (15.51) while Hawai'i Hilo carried a No. 4 ranking with 737 total team kills.
Sophomore Malu Garcia came in ranked No. 4 with 205 kills on the season — one spot ahead of Point Loma's Abigail Nua (204). Garcia led the Vulcans Monday night with 14 kills (.345) while Nua managed to lead all players with 22 (.378).
Reigning PacWest Conference Defender of the Week Isabella Freeman again was efficient on the offensive side, posting six kills with no errors (.667) — making it just one attacking error against 33 kills over the last four matches (.551). PLNU's Jill Leslie managed to post 10 kills and no errors (.435).
OTHER NOTES
- The Vulcans held a 22-17 lead late in the third set on the verge of forcing Set 4, but Point Loma managed to grab eight of the next nine points on two service errors and four attack errors by the Vulcans to close out the match.
- Point Loma's No. 5 AVCA Coaches Poll ranking was the lowest ranked team the Vulcans have faced since last season's finale against then No. 7 Chaminade. No. 5 is the highest ranking PLNU has achieved in its program history.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 10-6 Overall (1-1 PacWest)
- No. 5 Point Loma: 11-1 Overall (1-0 PacWest)
UP NEXT
- Poster Signing — Saturday, Oct. 4 (2 PM) vs Chaminade (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Sunday, Oct. 5 (3 PM) vs HPU (Vulcan Gym)
- Wednesday, Oct. 8 (7 PM) vs Azusa Pacific (Vulcan Gym)
- Student Appreciation (Pizza & Pepsi) — Thursday, Oct. 9 (7 PM) vs Vanguard (Vulcan Gym)
INTER-ISLAND SHOWDOWN
Following the Vulcans' Oct. 4 match against Chaminade at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Men's Volleyball team will hold an intrasquad scrimmage. The team will also hold a photo opportunity session earlier in the day starting 10 a.m. at Big Island Candies.
VULCAN CHALLENGE
Support Hawai'i Hilo Athletics and its student-athletes across 12 sports teams by considering a donation toward our Vulcan Challenge annual fundraiser, running Sept. 16 - Oct. 16. Your generous gift directly supports scholarships, nutritional needs, performance improvement, team apparel, equipment and much more. Support at HiloAthletics.com/VC.
PACWEST PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 4 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released earlier this week. The Vulcans finished 2024 in a four-way tie for fourth place. 2025 will feature the inaugural four-team PacWest Conference Championships postseason tournament hosted by Chaminade on O'ahu (Nov. 20-21).
PURCHASE TICKETS
Season and individual tickets for the Vulcans' nine home matches this fall are available for purchase at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. New pricing tiers have been introduced for preferred and general seating. In 2024, Hawai'i Hilo ranked No. 3 in all of Division II for venue percent capacity attendance at the on-campus Vulcan Gym.
BUY LIVESTREAM PACKAGE
Video livestreaming will be available for all home events this season through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/livestream. Single-game passes are offered at $15 with a season-package price of $101.25.
