The top-ranked University of Hawaii women's volleyball team overcame an earth-shaking vocal crowd and a rocking Southern Cal squad for a 15-11, 11-15, 15-11, 15-9 nonconference victory last night. A turn-away crowd of 912 jammed into North Gym to see the Wahine win their 11th straight road match and improve to 13-0.
"It was so loud, I couldn't even hear myself," said Hawaii coach Dave Shoji after the 2 hour, 2 minute victory. "You couldn't hear anything five feet away. A lot of times we went for balls and backed off. I don't know if it was because of the noise but it was very loud in there.
"Although we probably had 300 people cheering for us, SC was definitely the home team. It was a good win under these kind of conditions and a really good win for us on a national scale."
Away victories against ranked teams weigh heavily in the ratings index that determines regional rankings and postseason seeding. Last night's win over the No. 15 Trojans was the Wahine's third against a ranked team on the road, and their fourth overall.
It came in an atmosphere that was almost as stifling as the Trojan block in Game 2.
"It was pretty loud but it was loud and fun," said Wahine hitter Therese Crawford, who finished with 20 kills and hit .378. "The noise just adds to the intensity and makes it more exciting. We know we have to focus better."
Hawaii lost focus in Game 3, watching a 13-2 laugher turn into a 13-11 bad joke. The Trojans scored nine answered points on Wahine miscues and miscommunication, and an effective connection between Southern Cal setter Janice Mounts and hitter Jennifer Kessey.
Kessey had three of her 14 kills and one of her four blocks during the run. But Crawford put down a kill and Cia Goods added a solo block to stuff the Trojan comeback.
"We came out really strong in Game 3, were really upset after losing Game 2," said Crawford. "After a while, we let up a bit instead of finishing them off."
The Trojans appeared ready to force a fifth game with a late surge in Game 4, closing to 10-9. But with Chastity Nobriga serving for the last five points, Wahine senior blocker Angelica Ljungquist pounded down two of her game-high 21 kills and senior hitter Joselyn Robins had a kill and was in on two blocks that allowed Hawaii to start thinking about its WAC match tomorrow at Utah.
The Wahine were scheduled to fly to Salt Lake City today to prepare for the Utes (7-5) tomorrow at noon HST.