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Wednesday, October 25, 2000
The Wahine are not the only undefeated volleyball team in town hammering its way through its conference schedule. HPU sweeps BYUH
By Brandon Lee
Special to the Star-BulletinThe Hawaii Pacific University women's team also has won all of its matches so far, including a resounding three-game sweep against rival Brigham Young-Hawaii last night at St. Andrew's Priory Gym.
The No. 1-ranked team in Division II this year and 1998 national champions, the Sea Warriors made quick work of the No. 7 and defending national champion Seasiders, beating them 15-5, 15-12 and 15-1. With the victory, first-place HPU (17-0, 10-0) moved two games in front of second-place BYUH (12-5, 8-2) in the Pacific West Conference Pacific Division standings.
After surviving a five-game scare against the Seasiders last month at Laie, the Sea Warriors played perhaps their best match of the year in dismantling BYUH this time around.
"I think everyone stepped up and played their best tonight," said HPU coach Tita Ahuna. "We blocked well, we served well, and we just played a total game tonight."
"I think so," added Ahuna, when asked if this was her team's most dominant performance of the season. "Especially against a team such as BYUH. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum."
The Sea Warriors were led by All-America junior setter Nia Tuitele, who floated sweet assists to her hitters and did a little bit of everything else.
Tuitele -- who became HPU's all-time assists leader over the weekend (currently at 3,198) -- did have 40 assists in helping the Sea Warriors to a .322 attack percentage, but she also contributed in other offensive and defensive categories.Tuitele served for five consecutive Sea Warriors points during the decisive third game. She also assisted on two blocks, tallied six digs and had five kills, including the one that ended the match.
"I try to mix everything up, being able to distribute the ball well, but also getting a few kills in for my club," Tuitele said.
Senior outside hitter Debbie Sant'Anna led three Sea Warriors in double-digits for kills with 16, hitting .333 for the match. Senior outside hitter Vanessa Valansi paced the Seasiders with 10 kills, but hit only .063.
The victory was the 100th of Ahuna's career and tied the school mark for most consecutive wins at 17. Off to their best start in school history, the Sea Warriors can clinch the Pacific Division title with home wins against Alaska-Anchorage on Thursday and Alaska-Fairbanks on Saturday. The Pacific Division winner will host the PacWest Championship Tournament next month.
While his team is also still very much in the PacWest postseason mix, BYUH coach Wilfred Navalta concedes that the Seasiders have much to improve upon before approaching the level of HPU.
"HPU is a super team," Navalta said. "If HPU continues to play like this, I don't know what team can touch them."
Hawaii Pacific
BYU-Hawaii
