Box Score Box Score
HONOLULU -- Despite having two All-American candidates on the bench, the No. 3 University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine (7-0) defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs (1-6) 30-28, 30-27 and 30-26 in front of a crowd of 6,608 at the Stan Sheriff Center Friday.
Hawai`i was without two of their top players in Maja Gustin, who is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in her left foot, and Lily Kahumoku, who was sick. Kahumoku's status for tomorrow's match is undecided.
In their absence, Kim Willoughby continued to step up as she tallied 21 kills, 13 digs and six service aces. UH's middles also played well tonight, as Lauren Duggins had 10 kills, eight digs and four blocks while hitting .467 and Karin Lundqvist hit .444 with a career-high nine kills. Senior Jen Carey came in relief, adding 30 assists, six digs and two timely kills. Melissa Villaroman also came up big with 11 digs.
The Rainbow Wahine started out slow, as the Mustangs jumped out to a 16-9 lead. But Hawai`i answered quickly with a 9-1 run to take a 18-16 lead. The two teams continued to battle until a Cal Poly service error gave UH game one, 30-28.
Game two was tight again until Willoughby served three straight aces to put Hawai`i up 14-12. Cal Poly kept battling, but a kill by defensive specialist ignited the Rainbow Wahine, leading them to the 30-27 win in game two.
In game three, the UH offense finally started to click as Hawai`i got their lead as high as 28-21. But they just couldn't put it away until Willoughby put home her 21st kill of the night to give the Rainbow Wahine the 30-26 game three victory.
Worthy Lien made a good return to the Cal Poly lineup with six kills and six blocks, while Kristen O'Halloran had a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. Molly Duncan led the way in the back court for the Mustangs with 17 digs, while libero Lindsay Ellington added 10 digs of her own.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH will then have a quick turnaround before the face the Samorodok Club team from Russia on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
