Streak goes on

The Wahine sweep Nevada to move within a win of 12th straight WAC title

STORY SUMMARY »

RENO, Nev. » One down, one to go.

Hawaii    Nevada 3 0 NEXT UP at Fresno State, 4 p.m. today

Hawaii opened its final regular-season road trip last night with a 30-17, 30-20, 30-27 sweep of Nevada, needing only 101 minutes to stay undefeated in Western Athletic Conference play.

Now the Rainbow Wahine (19-4, 13-0 WAC) aim for the road sweep as well as their 12th straight conference title. Hawaii can do both when taking on Fresno State (5-20, 3-10) tonight at the Save Mart Center (4 p.m. Hawaii time).

"I reminded the team that Fresno beat us 30-13 at home, probably the worst game loss of the year," Wahine coach Dave Shoji said losing Game 3 to the Bulldogs on Oct. 7. "I think that got their attention."

This will be the first time in WAC action this season that Hawaii plays on consecutive nights. Fresno State will also be playing back-to-back matches. Last night, the Bulldogs lost to visiting San Jose State 30-20, 25-30, 30-22, 30-18.

The Wahine own the series with Fresno, holding a 41-0 edge.

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RENO, Nev. » It's all about making the adjustments.

Cold gym. A bit of the flu. Thinner air. Loud opposing crowd.

No. 11 Hawaii handled all of it last night, including a surprise lineup change in Game 3, to sweep Nevada in front of 963 at the Virginia Street Gym. Getting another dominating performance by Jamie Houston and solid defense anchored by Elizabeth Ka'aihue, the Rainbow Wahine defeated the Wolf Pack for the 28th straight time, 30-17, 30-20, 30-27.

It took 101 minutes for Hawaii to improve to 19-4 overall, 13-0 in Western Athletic Conference volleyball play. The Rainbow Wahine can clinch their 12th straight WAC crown with a win tonight at Fresno State (5-20, 3-10).

Houston put down 21 kills, including the match-ender, and hit .410. Aneli Cubi-Otineru added 11 kills and Juliana Sanders was in on five of Hawaii's eight blocks.

"I thought we played really well for the first two games and then it got a little shaky," Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. "Nevada's a good team, but we played extremely well for most of the night.

"Houston continues to be dominating and our defense was outstanding."

Led by Ka'aihue's 14 digs, Hawaii won the dig battle 54-34. The Wahine also had a 6-2 edge in aces, five coming in Game 1.

The one thing Hawaii had trouble with was when Nevada coach Devin Scruggs switched Allison Hernandez from libero to left-side hitter. Hernandez, who had three kills coming into the match, had six in Game 3.

"We didn't have a defense for her," Shoji said. "She tipped, used the block well. We had no film on her. To say it was a surprise is an understatement."

Hernandez's final kill gave Nevada what would be its last tie in Game 3 at 25-25. Two kills by Cubi-Otineru and an error by Hernandez gave the Wahine a 28-25 lead.

The Wolf Pack rallied, closing to 28-27, but Amber Kaufman and Cubi-Otineru stuffed Karly Sipherd for match point. Houston ended it.

Teal Ericson led Nevada (13-9, 9-5) with 14 kills. Kylie Harrington (St. Francis '07) had five kills and four digs.

Note: Junior hitter Jessica Keefe and freshman middle Amanda Simmons were not in uniform last night. Shoji said the two had a touch of the flu.