Box Score Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 9 University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine (27-6) were upset by the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (35-2) 22-30, 18-30, 30-15 and 31-33 in the NCAA Tournament second round match at the Kentucky International Convention Center Saturday, handing UH their first-ever loss in the second round of the NCAAs.

Jamie Houston played well in the loss, posting 25 kills, eight digs and four blocks. Amber Kaufman had 10 kills and five blocks while Juliana Sanders posted 10 kills and four blocks. Aneli Cubi-Otineru led the 'Bows with 14 digs while Tara Hittle chimed in 11 digs and four blocks.

Three straight MTSU blocks capped a four-point run that put the Blue Raiders ahead 9-6 early. A 7-1 run gave MTSU a 22-16 lead. Hawai`i would pull their deficit back to 19-16, but Middle Tennessee rolled, scoring seven of the last nine points to take game one 30-22.

An early 9-1 run in game two got Middle Tennessee State ahead 14-5. The Blue Raiders continued to roll throughout the game, not allowing the Rainbow Wahine within seven points en route to a 30-18 game two victory.

Hawai`i came out of the break hot, taking an early 5-2 edge. But MTSU answered right back, scoring four-straight to go ahead 6-5. It stayed tight until a 5-1 UH run put them ahead 13-9. The Rainbow Wahine continued to roll, getting leads of 18-11 and 22-13 before scoring the final seven points to take game three 30-15.

MTSU opened game four with a 6-1 advantage. They kept that five-point lead at 12-7 before a big 7-2 run by UH tied the score at 14-14. The teams traded sideouts and little runs the rest of the way with a 3-0 MTSU run getting it to 26-24. Hawai`i answered back with a three-point run to take the slight 27-26 edge. UH got game point at 29-27, before MTSU responded with three points to get their own game point at 30-29. Hawai`i held off two match points before an untimely net violation ended the night with a 33-31 MTSU game four victory.

The loss ends UH's season at 27-6. This is the first time Hawai`i will miss an NCAA Regional in 10 years. It also ends the careers of Caroline Blood, Kari Gregory, Sanders and Raeceen Woolford, UH's four seniors.

-UH-