HONOLULU - The ninth-ranked University of Hawaii women’s water polo team fell to second-ranked UCLA, 17-5, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match Saturday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

A crowd of about 200 gathered to bid Aloha to seniors Karin van Hoff and Christa Tackaberry, playing in the final home match of their collegiate careers. Tackaberry, who had six blocks, also celebrated her 22nd Birthday draped with lei and in an inner tube as the team sang to her after the match.

UCLA (16-3, 8-1 MPSF) wasted no time getting on the board and scored on its first four possessions to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Hawaii (10-11, 4-5 MPSF) countered when freshman driver Tessa Curti scored one of her two goals on the night off a rebound to put the Rainbow Wahine on the board. Less than a minute later, van Hoff scored from the left side, but Hawaii struggled to shut down the UCLA attack.

The Bruins scored four goals in the second period to take a 8-2 lead at the half and out-scored Hawaii, 9-3, in the second half to win it.

Hawaii’s regular season continues on the road next week. The Rainbow Wahine travel to San Diego State, April 11 and USC April 12 to wrap-up the MPSF season. The team will remain in California and play in the Long Beach State Invitational April 13-14 before heading into the MPSF Championships.

Hawaii Goals: Karin van Hoff-2, Tessa Curti-2, Chelsea Garner-Prohs-1.
UCLA Goals: Kelly Heuchan-3, Natalie Golda-2, Eleanor Murphy-2, Amber Stachowski-2, Ashley Stachowski-2, Robin Beauregard-1, Leah Wilson-1, Kristyn Pulver-1, Jessica Lopez-1, Jenny- Lamb-1, Mari Joyce-1.

Goalie Saves
HAWAII: 6.
UCLA: 6.