Box Score

LAS VEGAS – The third-ranked University of Hawai'i women's volleyball won its 10^th straight WAC Tournament title Wednesday night, sweeping New Mexico State, 25-12, 25-17, 25-23 in the championship match at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

 

The Rainbow Wahine complete a perfect WAC season, going undefeated in conference play and winning the regular season for the 14^th straight time, to go along with the WAC Tournament title. Overall UH improves to 28-2.

 

Following the victory, Kanani Danielson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Aneli Cubi-Otineru and Dani Mafua were named to the all-tournament team.

 

Danielson had a match-high 14 kills Wednesday night, adding eight digs and three blocks. Cubi-Otineru had 10 kills and five digs and Mafua set the offense with 34 assists.

 

Senior Amber Kaufman had six kills and hit .500, Stephanie Ferrell had five kills and Brittany Hewitt had four kills.

 

In the first set, UH took an early 6-2 lead and never looked back, winning 25-12. Danielson and Cubi-Otineru led the way with three kills each and Kaufman added two kills. Mafua set the offense with eight assists as UH hit .320 as a team and the Rainbow Wahine had five aces in the set.

 

The Rainbow Wahine went back-and-forth early with the Aggies, but pulled away for the 25-17 win. Danielson had five kills on 11 swings to lead the way. Cubi-Otineru, Ferrell, Kaufman and Hewitt each had two kills. Mafua set the offense with 10 assists as the team hit .500.

 

In the third set, UH made a late rally, trailing 20-16, the Rainbow Wahine pulled out the 25-23 win. Danielson had six kills and Cubi-Otineru added five kills.

 

The Rainbow Wahine return to the island in anticipation of the NCAA Tournament selection show, which is Sunday at 10 a.m. HT on ESPNews. The first round of the NCAA Tournament is slated to begin either Thursday, Dec. 3, Friday, Dec. 4 or Saturday, Dec. 5.