Box Score Box Score

HONOLULU - The No. 4 University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team (1-0) defeated the No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes (0-1) 30-24, 30-24, 30-23 in front a crowd of 9,495 at the Stan Sheriff Center Friday night.

All-American Kim Willoughby picked up where she left off in 2001, leading the team with 18 kills while hitting .342. Junior Lauren Duggins came up big for the Rainbow Wahine with 10 kills, 11 digs and three blocks, while hitting an outstanding .769. Lily Kahumoku made her return to the UH lineup, notching seven kills and eight digs.

Hawai`i started out slowly, falling behind 7-3. But the Rainbow Wahine battled back, taking their first lead of the season at 13-12. From there, UH never relinquished the lead again, taking game 1, 30-24.

Game 2 was more of the same as Ohio State jumped out to a 12-8 lead early on. But Hawai`i battled back as Willoughby had 11 of her 18 kills in the second game and the Rainbow Wahine took the second game 30-24.

In the third game, Hawai`i took over early and ran with it, as they went on a 8-1 run in the middle of the game to go up 20-11. From there, UH was able to send in some new faces and they ended up with the 30-23 final game victory.

Newcomers Karin Lundqvist and Susie Boogaard let their presence be felt in their first match in green. Lundqvist started the match in place of an injured Maja Gustin, and tallied four kills, four digs and three blocks. Boogaard saw time in the final two games, getting two kills on just four swings while providing one big block. Gustin, who didn't start due to a foot injury, came in for one game and got two kills on three swings. She's expected to play Sunday.

Hawai`i will next face the 21st ranked University of Colorado on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Buffs are coming off a tough four-set loss to the No. 11 UCLA Bruins, 30-15, 30-28, 26-30, 30-27, in the night's first match.