SAN DIEGO, California – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball swept No. 18 Point Loma, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 26-24), Monday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Golden Gymnasium to close a four-match road trip through Southern California.
The Vulcans closed out big for their second win over a ranked opponent this season. With Point Loma on the brink of forcing extra sets in the third frame at a 24-23 lead, Hawai'i Hilo finished strong by taking the next three points to wrap up the sweep and its first victory over PLNU since 2021.
Chase Koepke led Hawai'i Hilo with 13 kills (.300) and Sajal Glunz added seven (.429).
The Vulcans (3-2) split a tough conference road trip through Southern California, getting victories over Vanguard (3-2) and the Sea Lions (3-2) while falling to Concordia (4-0) and Biola (5-0).
GAME NOTES
- Set 1: Trailing, 17-14, Hawai'i Hilo scored eight straight points to flip the score on the way to taking the opening-set win.
- Set 2: It was a back-and-forth affair but the Vulcans put down six kills to take seven of the last 11 points for a 2-0 lead.
- Alohi Garcia reached 1,000.0 career points, finishing with 12.0 on the night with nine kills, one ace and two solo blocks. Five of Garcia's kills landed during the match's two most decisive stretches with three in Set 2's closing 7-of-11-point run and two more down the stretch in Set 3 for points 22 and 23.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 11-5 Overall (3-2 PacWest)
- Conference Preseason Poll: No. 3
- Current Conference Standing: No. T3
- Point Loma: 7-4 Overall (3-2 PacWest)
- San Diego, California
- Conference Preseason Poll: No. 1
- Current Conference Standing: No. T3
UP NEXT
- Sunday, Sept. 27 (2 PM) vs HPU (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
- UH Manoa Men's Volleyball Intrasquad Showcase to follow – Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
- Thursday, Oct. 1 (6 PM) vs Dominican (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Vulcan Gymnasium
- Saturday, Oct. 3 (6 PM) vs Jessup (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Vulcan Gymnasium
- Tuesday, Oct. 6 (6 PM) vs Biola (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Vulcan Gymnasium
- Saturday, Oct. 10 (6 PM) vs Vanguard (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Vulcan Gymnasium
- Monday, Oct. 12 (6 PM) vs Westmont (Hilo, Hawai'i) – Vulcan Gymnasium
VULCAN CHALLENGE
Hawai'i Hilo Athletics has launched its annual Vulcan Challenge, a month-long fundraising campaign running from Sept. 21 through Oct. 23 to support scholarships, travel, training and other essential resources for the Vulcans' 12 NCAA Division II teams. To support, visit HiloAthletics.com/VC.
NATIONAL CHAMPS RETURNING TO HILO
The reigning NCAA Men's Volleyball National Champion UH Manoa Rainbow Warriors are returning to Hilo for another interisland intrasquad showcase set for Sunday, Sept. 27 following the Vulcans match with HPU at 2 p.m. inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Tickets available at HiloAthletics.com/TIX. More information available at HiloAthletics.com/MVB.
The Vulcan Booster Club is also hosting "A Night of Champions" dinner on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel with all proceeds benefiting Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will include remarks from both Vulcans and Rainbow Warriors coaches and athletes. Tickets available at HiloAthletics.com/NOC.
A photo meet and greet will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Big Island Candies Hilo store from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PACWEST CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 3 in the 2026 PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans finished the 2025 regular season tied at No. 3 in the conference standings. The four-team 2026 PacWest Championships postseason tournament will be hosted by Vanguard University on Nov. 13-14 in Costa Mesa, California.
PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS
Season and individual tickets for the Vulcans' 13 home matches at Vulcan Gymnasium are available for purchase at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. Season tickets are $150 for Preferred Seats ($100 for seniors 65+ and middle/high school students) and $100 for General Seats ($50 for seniors 65+ and middle/high school students).
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 for volleyball are offered at $15 and a season-package (12 matches) price of $120 (now $80).
