by HONOLULU, Hawai`i–After not having played a volleyball match in 15+ months, the Vulcans tried to make up for lost time in the most marathon way possible.
Hawaii Hilo played four matches in around 24 hours of time, most remarkably also grinding out a total of 19 sets. After winning a five-setter on Saturday (Chaminade) and a four-setter (Hawaii Pacific), the Vulcans went five more games on Sunday with Chaminade (a loss) and five with the Sharks (a win).
UHH leaves Oahu with a 3-1 start to their season, with a whole more matches ahead with the Silverswords and Sharks.
All those matches figure to be brawls, like the morning match was with Chaminade today. The Silverswords took the first two games, only to see the Vulcans battle back to tie it at 2-2 before Chaminade won the fifth. Final tally was 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 15-10.
Bria Beale had 16 kills and 14 digs to lead the Vulcans. Alexandra Parisian (Chippwa/Cree) added 11, while middle blocker Ashton Jessee had seven block assists and four service aces. Libero Tani Hoke led the defense with 20 digs.
Against the Sharks to wrap up the tournament, UHH had to battle back from a 2-1 deficit to win, 17-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 15-9. Beale had 17 kills, 15 digs and seven service aces, while Parisian added 13 kills and seven block assists. Jessee had eight block assists. In both matches, the Vulcans employed two setters wtih Kendall Kott and Teia Magaoay sharing the load.
