LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - The seventh-seeded Hawai'i women's water polo team could not overcome a 7-1 halftime deficit in dropping an 11-7 decision to ninth-seeded UC Santa Barbara, in Sunday afternoon's seventh-place match at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament, held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Center.

Hawai`i found themselves playing from behind all match, as UCSB wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on a power play goal only 10 seconds in. Showing signs of fatigue from playing four matches in three days, UH's starters were unable to maintain their intensity, as UCSB's Jennifer D'Anna and Katy Kunkel both collected three first half scores.

Strong play in goal by senior Leanna Hahn, who made 11 saves on the day, brought the Rainbow Wahine back into the match in the third, as Hawai`i cut the lead to 8-4. However, UCSB answered each of UH's three fourth quarter goals to secure the victory.

Seven different Rainbow Wahine netted goals in the match, including Hawai`i-natives Brittany Dames, Darcy Scott-Hosaka, and Makana Whitford. Senior Rilea Stober also scored in the final match of her Rainbow Wahine career.

With the loss, Hawai`i finishes the season at 13-15, and in eighth place in the MPSF.


UC Santa Barbara vs. Hawai`i
1 2 3 4 F
UCSB 3 4 1 3 11
Hawai`i 1 0 3 3 7

UCSB Scoring: Jennifer D'Anna 4, Katy Kunkel 4, Erika Clark, Aimee Stachowski, Alaina Whitaker
Hawai`i Scoring: Brittany Dames, Tamara Molina, Beth Novick, Darcy Scott-Hosaka, Rilea Stober, Malia Tarayao, Makana Whitford
Goalie Saves: Leanna Hahn (Hawai`i) 11, Christy Medigovich (UCSB) 7

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