Box Score

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The 10^th-ranked University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team saw its modest two-match win streak snapped at No. 7 Long Beach State, 30-23, 31-29, 30-28, Thursday night in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at the Walter Pyramid.

 

The Warriors (3-7, 2-5 MPSF) could not find an answer for LBSU's Dean Bittner, who slammed a match-high 25 kills. The Beach's only player in double-figures, Bittner hit .561 with only two errors in 41 swings.

 

For Hawai'i, the freshman duo of Steven Hunt (17) and Gus Tuaniga (12) combined for 29 kills on .365 hitting. Middle blocker Steven Grgas had a match-high seven blocks while libero Ric Cervantes recorded nine digs.

 

As a team, the Warriors matched the Beach in blocks as each posted 10.5, however, the 49ers out-hit Hawai'i, .348 to .230.

 

In the first set, LBSU (6-5, 5-3) led early on at 13-9 before watching the Warriors rally to tie it at 18 and again at 21. But three straight UH hitting errors gave the Beach some breathing room and a lead they would not relinquish in winning 30-23.

 

In Set 2, it was the Warriors who jumped out to a 14-9 advantage before the Beach caught them at 27. Moments later, UH had game point at 29-28 but consecutive kills by Bittner gave the 49ers set point. On the very next play, Josh Riley completed the rally with a kill and a 31-29 LBSU victory.

 

The Warriors and 49ers traded points through the better half of Set 3. With the Beach ahead 21-20, a Bitter kill and Sean Carney ball handling error forced UH head coach Mike Wilton to call timeout. Hunt's kill after the break pulled Hawai'i to within 23-21 but consecutive LBSU kills gave the Beach the cushion they needed. UH mounted one last rally to within 29-28 but Bittner ended the match with his 25^th kill.

 

The two teams battle again on Friday. First serve is 7:00 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid.