Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. - Fourth ranked University of Hawai`i defeated No. 11 UC Irvine 23-30, 30-25, 30-25, 30-26 tonight at the Bren Center in front of 928 fans.

The Warriors improved to 5-1 overall and perfect in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action at 3-0. The Anteaters dropped to 3-6 and 1-3 in the MPSF.

"We weren't particularly sharp early, but we battled," head coach Mike Wilton said.

UH came out sluggish, struggling in Game One especially their passing attack. The Warriors hit only .175 as a club in Game One with 14 kills, seven errors, on 40 attempts.

"Jose Delgado struggled out of the gates for us with his passing and hitting at the net," Wilton said. "Lauri Hakala replaced him and was a solid presence on the floor with the passing game, and he also gave us some much needed offense."

Nevertheless, the team regroup and went on a torrid hitting binge, posting a .500 average in Game Two, .370 in Game Three, and .355 in Game Four. UH as a team hit .331 collectively, while holding the Anteaters to a .289 average.

Hawai`i was led individually by Pedro Azenha who hammered down a match-high 21 kill, while hitting at a .486 clip. Azenha also sparked UH with his serving picking up five of the team's six aces.

UH was without Dio Dante tonight who was ailing with a sore back. He was replaced in the starting lineup with Kyle Klinger. Dante is expected to return to action in the series finale tomorrow night.

"Klinger hit .500 in his first ever start, so our middles are getting it done up front no matter who we insert," Wilton said.

Klinger finished with eight kills, two blocks, and an ace. Teammate and middle blocker Maulia La Barre added 13 kills while hitting .556 on the night.

Brian Beckwith kept the offense rolling dishing out 50 assists while adding nine digs and three blocks.

UCI was led by Jayson Jablonsky who had 17 kills while hitting .381.

The two teams complete the two-match series Saturday night at Crawford Court with a 7 p.m. PT first serve (5 p.m. HT).