Friday, November 13, 1998
Seasiders lead advance
By Jerry Campany
in PacWest play
Special to the Star-BulletinBrigham Young University-Hawaii stepped back down to Division II and ran through a scrappy Western Washington squad, 15-3, 15-8, 15-3, to advance to the semifinals of the Pacific West Conference tournament at the Cannon Activities Center last night.
Vanessa Valansi started the game by drilling three consecutive uncontested shots en route to her 11 kills on the night.
The Seasiders looked loose and carefree throughout the contest until the Vikings backed off of the net and dug up a few bullets off the fist of Arlete Silva.
Western Washington stayed close in the second set to trail, 11-8, before the experienced Seasiders took over. The only question was how long BYUH would prolong the agony after last Tuesday's exhausting loss to the University of Hawaii.
"I warned the players that this is crunch time," BYUH head coach Wilfred Navalta said. "One loss and our season could end here."
The Seasiders had no problem staying at their high level of play, especially team leader Silva. She hit .500 while burying 12 kills--six in the tone-setting first set--and had a hand in eight blocks. Silva kept the Vikings on their heels as they respected her power, giving her free reign to float Jordan-like above the court.
"Arlete is an excellent all-around athlete," Navalta said. "She is well conditioned and combines it with good athletic ability."
The Seasiders held the overmatched Western Washington squad to just .094 hitting, while they pounded away at a .303 clip. Setter Juliana Lima again worked from the shadows, setting the limitless BYUH attack 33 times and dumping in four kills on five attempts. In a total team effort, eight Seasiders recorded digs and seven served up aces for a team total of 11.
In other games, Seattle Pacific swept through Alaska-Anchorage, 15-7, 15-4, 15-2, to open the tournament. Danielle Dettorre led a balanced Falcon attack by hitting .500 on 14 attempts for eight kills and 11 assists. Leihani Kamahoahoa also contributed eight kills but added eight digs. Alaska-Anchorage managed only a single block and hit .121 for the match.
Hawaii Pacific also swept to set up a match tomorrow with No. 2 Seattle Pacific. The Sea Warriors rode outside hitter Debbie Sant 'Anna to the 15-6, 15-8, 15-11 victory. Sant 'Anna buried 25 kills on 45 attempts for a .444 hitting percentage and dug up 10 shots on defense. Nia Tuiele gathered 45 assists while dumping in three kills. Dawn Penebacker showed flashes of brilliance in the middle, finishing with nine kills on .429 hitting.
Hawaii-Hilo earned the right to be the next on the Seasiders' plate by upsetting Western New Mexico, 15-5, 15-7, 15-9. Ginelle Palau led the team with 18 kills and hit .375 while Kaleihoku Nathaniel pitched in 10 and .364. Heather Campbell added nine kills and paced the team with 4 service aces, 13 digs and five block-assists.
Tomorrow, Hilo meets top-ranked BYUH after losing all four regular season matches to the Seasiders.
"I was glad to be able to do it in three," Hawaii-Hilo coach Sharon Peterson said. "We'll be back here tomorrow."
Pacific West tournament
Today's semifinals
At Cannon Activities Center, Laie
Seattle Pacific vs. Hawaii Pacific, 5 p.m.
