Box Score Box Score

EL PASO, Tex. - The No. 2 University of Hawai`i (14-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) defeated the Texas El Paso Miners (7-9, 2-3 WAC) 30-13, 30-21 and 30-20 in front of a UTEP record 1,325 fans at the Memorial Gym Thursday.

Lily Kahumoku led the way for Hawai`i with 25 kills, one short of a career-high, three digs, and nine digs, while hitting .561. Kim Willoughby had 17 kills and 10 digs, while hitting .423. Lauren Duggins added six kills and seven blocks, while Jennifer Carey had seven blocks and 22 assists.

Hawai`i out-hit the Miners .427 to .028 and out-blocked them 12.5 to 2.0.

The Rainbow Wahine jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead early in the first game, forcing UTEP head coach Scott Swanson to call a timeout. UH was able to extend their lead to 16-3 before the Miners were able to get their fourth point. UTEP fought back but it wasn't enough as Hawai`i took game one 30-13. UH out-hit the Miners .571 to .029 in the first game, led by Kahumoku, who ended the game with 11 kills.

UTEP started out the second game well, going up 6-5. But Hawai`i came back, on the strength of a 7-1 run, to take the 12-7 lead. The Miners kept fighting, cutting the lead to 12-11 and 16-15 before the Rainbow Wahines were finally able to build up a lead at 22-15. Redshirt freshman Ashley Watanabe served the first two aces of her career, extending the UH lead to 26-17 before they eventually took the game 30-21.

The Rainbows then cruised through the third game 30-20, to win the match.

Hawai`i will next play at Southern Methodist at 11 a.m. Central time on Saturday, Oct. 19. Following that match, the Rainbow Wahine will return home to the Stan Sheriff Center for two matches with Notre Dame on Monday, Oct. 21, and Tuesday, Oct. 22. Monday's match will start at 7 p.m. while Tuesday's match will be at 6 p.m.

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