Box Score

HONOLULU - Joshua Walker had a career night for the No. 13 University of Hawai`i men's volleyball team (10-14, 7-12 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) in a 30-26, 30-28, 24-30, 30-27 loss to the No. 3 Brigham Young Cougars, (20-4, 15-4 MPSF), Thursday night in front of 2,663 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors could not capitalize on Walker's career-high 29 kills in suffering their third consecutive loss.

With regular starters James Clar and Matthew Rawson sitting out of tonight's match the Warriors turned to Walker. His 29 kill output was a new career and season high for the freshman. He also set a new personal best in hitting percentage (.439). His kill total tied the single season high for any Warrior this year.

Sophomore libero Ric Cervantes continued his hot streak on defense and set the new school single-season record in digs with 311. The previous record was 306 set in 2006 by former Warrior Alfred Reft. Reft set the mark in 97 games while Cervantes has only played in 92 sets this season.

The Cougars pulled away from the Warriors late in the first set and won 30-26. Both teams were tied at 18 apiece but BYU went on a 5-1 run to gain some room. The Warriors pulled within two at 27-25, but two straight errors doomed the Warriors late in the game.

UH had the chance to even up the match but fell in game two 30-28. The Warriors looked in command when a kill by Jacob Schkud gave UH a 19-15 lead. However, the Cougars rallied with six straight points to give them a narrow 21-20 lead. UH regained the lead when Walker posted one of his kills and led 26-25 but BYU came right back and knocked down three straight. Another Walker kill tied it up at 28 apiece but BYU closed out the game.

UH faced elimination in the third stanza but fought back and took it 30-24. The Warriors blitzed the Cougars on a 5-0 spurt in the middle of the game capped by a Nemanja Komar service ace that gave UH a 18-13 advantage. The Cougars got to within three, 24-21, late in the set but three errors aided UH in their win. The Cougars hit a dismal .093 and committed eight attack errors.

Both teams did not want to give up in the fourth set. The Cougars and Warriors were tied 20 times and there were eight lead changes. However, the Cougars prevailed and took the match 30-27. UH trailed 26-25 but could not force a fifth game.

The Warriors and Cougars conclude their series tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Following the match, Schkud will be honored during the traditional Senior Night ceremony.

-UH-