Box Score Box Score
HONOLULU - The No. 1 University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine (23-0, 11-0 Western Athletic Conference) defeated the Boise State Broncos (1-22, 0-11 WAC) 30-6, 30-23 and 30-23 in front of a crowd of 7,686 at the Stan Sheriff Center Saturday, running their game-winning streak up to 54.
Freshman Susie Boogaard had her best match of the season, putting down a career-high 12 kills with a .550 hitting percentage. Lily Kahumoku played just two games, but was able to tally 11 kills, six digs and a .474 hitting percentage. Maja Gustin added seven kills and three digs while also playing just two games, while Nohea Tano had seven kills, a .545 hitting percentage and five digs. Melissa Villaroman led the charge in the back court with 10 digs. All-American Kim Willoughby had a season-low six kills on the night, but was able to pass Angelica Ljungquist for second on the career kill list with 1,573.
The Rainbow Wahine started out hot, jumping out to a 6-0 lead, sparked by two Willoughby aces and two Kahumoku kills. UH continued to roll, getting their lead up to 15-3 on a block by Duggins and Carey, forcing Boise State head coach Scott Sandel to use his second timeout of the game. By the end of game one, Willoughby was able to collect four aces, while the team ran up 16 kills to the Broncos' three, and a .615 to -.179 hitting percentage edge, in their 30-6 win.
In the second game, UH coach Dave Shoji rested starters Duggins and Willoughby. Boise State put up a bigger fight, holding a 6-6 tie before a 9-3 UH run gave them a 15-9 advantage going into the media timeout. But the Broncos wouldn't let it get out of hand, cutting the UH lead to 21-17 and 27-23 before UH eventually took game two 30-23.
Shoji again mixed up the lineup in game three, sitting Kahumoku and Gustin. The Broncos held lead as late as 13-12 but the Rainbows went on a quick 4-0 run to go up 16-13. Just like in the second game, Boise State kept it close throughout before eventually falling 30-23.
Hawai`i will now face the defending national champion and fourth ranked Stanford Cardinal tomorrow at 6 p.m. in a match that has been sold out for about a week. To accommodate the capacity crowd, the Stan Sheriff Center will open its doors at 4:30 p.m.
-uh-
