by (Photo of Alex Parisian courtesy of Jay Metz, Hawaii Media Source)
HONOLULU, Oahu–UH Hilo saved its best for last on Sunday afternoon at the Hawaii Challenge, besting Montana State-Billings in three sets, 25-20, 25-19, 25-14 at McCabe Gymnasium.
The Vulcans hit .308 in the second set and a blistering .483 in the third to cruise to their third straight win in their opening tournament of the 2021 season. After dropping their first match of the year to St. Martin’s, the Vulcans rolled to a trio of wins, all of them by a 3-0 count, giving them nine consecutive set wins.
UHH will return home for classes and practice with a 3-1 record, and will then head back to Oahu for matches next Saturday and Sunday against Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific. Montana State-Billings (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) is now 3-4.
The Vulcans had balance on the stat sheet on their way to a .315 hitting percentage for the match. They also zipped in eight service aces. Bria Beale led the Vulcans with 14 kills, three aces and 11 digs. Alexandria Parisian (Chippewa/Cree) also had a double-double with ten kills, ten digs and a .444 hitting percentage.
The middle blockers went to work. In addition to Parisian’s numbers, Ashton Jessee had 11 kills and just one attack error for a sizzling .667 attack percentage. Libero Tani Hoke had 16 digs and three aces, while setter Kendall Kott had 40 assists and 12 digs.
The Yellowjackets were led by Bayli Monck’s 14 kills.
With one match left to be played in the Hawaii Challenge (Chaminade vs. Montana State-Billings), the host Silverswords are 3-0, UHH is 3-1, Cal State East Bay 2-2, Saint Martin’s 1-3 and the Yellowjackets are 0-3.
