Sunday, September 30, 2001
[ DIVISION II SPORTS ]
What a difference 24 hours can make. HPU rests up and
dispatches ChaminadeBy Brandon Lee
blee@starbulletin.comA day after sweating through a five-game victory over Chaminade, the host Hawaii Pacific women's volleyball team had an easier time last night, with a 30-25, 30-28, 30-27 win over the Silverswords in the rematch before about 385 fans at St. Andrew's Priory Gym.
The defending national champion and top-ranked Sea Warriors (14-0, 8-0) are in first place in the Pacific West Conference and have now strung together 42 consecutive wins dating back to the start of last season. After two wins to open its conference season, Chaminade (5-7, 2-2) has dropped two straight.
Last night's win concluded a six-match swing for HPU over the last nine days, with the first four on the mainland. The Sea Warriors were in town for less than 48 hours before Friday night's hotly contested affair with the Silverswords, and the extra day of rest leading up to last night's sweep showed.
"The rest (was the difference)," HPU coach Tita Ahuna said. "The girls stayed at home all day; they were jetlagged. They came out firing tonight."
Leading the charge for the Sea Warriors, as usual, was two-time All-American setter Nia Tuitele. She had match-highs of 44 assists and 15 digs. On the receiving end of most of the assists were Andrea Wean and Roberta Robert, with 18 and 17 kills.
Valasi Sepulona led Chaminade with a match-high 20 kills.
"We started off strong from the first game," Tuitele said. "There was more communication, and we kind of knew what to expect."
HPU did start off strong, but did not have an entirely easy time in winning, despite the straight-game score. After jumping out to a 21-9 lead in the first game behind five kills and a solo block from Wean, Chaminade went on an 8-1 run before losing by five.
In the second game, the Sea Warriors led 25-17, but the Silverswords put together runs of 5-1 and 6-0 to take a 28-27 lead before dropping three straight points and the game.
In the final game, Chaminade had the lead early on, but a late 5-0 Sea Warriors run sealed the Silverswords' fate.
"Chaminade is a well-coached team," Ahuna said. "What we do well is we can make adjustments during the match."
Said Silverswords coach Glennie Adams: "(HPU) played scrappy defense and served extremely well. We didn't rise to the occasion."
The Sea Warriors' streak of 42 consecutive wins now ranks second in NCAA Division II history. They are only four away from tying the all-time mark of 46 straight set by Ferris State in 1984. HPU's next chance to inch closer will come at Hawaii-Hilo next Saturday.
"We try not to think about (the streak)," Tuitele said. "But it's in the back of our minds."
Hawaii Pacific
BYU-Hawaii
Chaminade
U.H. Hilo