HONOLULU -- The No. 2 University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team defeated the Samorodok club team from Russia 31-29, 30-21, 28-30 and 30-26 in an exhibition match Tuesday. The match was seen by 4,065 people at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The combo of Lily Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby again led the way for UH as Kahumoku had 26 kills and seven digs, while Willoughby had 25 kills, 13 digs and six aces. Junior Lauren Duggins added eight kills, seven digs and six blocks while hitting .368 while Karin Lundqvist led all players with eight blocks. Melissa Villaroman had a huge match in the backrow, digging up 25 balls.

Samorodok jumped out to a big lead to start the first game, going up 19-11. But Hawai`i roared back behind their two stars as a Willoughby ace gave the Rainbow Wahine a 23-22 lead. The two teams faught back-and-forth and Samorodok held game point at 29-27, but three Willoughby kills and an error by Samorodok led to the 31-29 UH win.

The Rainbow Wahine jumped out early 14-11, and used a 6-1 run in the middle of the game to roll to a 30-21 win.

The third game was another well-faught game with neither team holding a lead higher than two points until Samorodok went on a 3-0 run to go up 23-19. Hawai`i cut the lead to 29-28 but a Willoughby error gave the Russians the 30-28 win.

The fourth game was again a nail-biter, as the teams were tied late in the game at 25-25. But three UH blocks and two kills by Kahumoku gave the Rainbow Wahine the 30-26 win.

Hawai`i next faces Houston and St. Mary's this weekend on Sept. 20 and 21, with both matches starting at 7 p.m. in the Stan Sheriff Center.