Box Score

HONOLULU –  The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team returned to the court Wednesday night, topping Nittaidai of Japan in an entertaining Spring exhibition match at the Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-15, 25-21, 14-25, 28-26.
 
The Rainbow Wahine were nearly taken to a fifth set after holding a 2-0 lead. UH led most of the way in set four but a late Nittaidai surge almost forced a deciding fifth set. The 'Bows faced set point three times before finally rallying for a 28-26 win to capture the match.
 
Jane Croson was fantastic in her first Spring match for UH, recording 18 kills and 10 digs. Emily Hartong posted 15 kills, seven digs, and two blocks, Kristiana Tuaniga hit .400 (7-15) and had a match-high five blocks along with Kaela Goodman.
 
Jade Vorster and Ginger Long saw their first action in a Rainbow Wahine uniform after redshirting this Fall. Vorster earned the start and finished with eight kills and six digs, with Long adding two kills and one dig.
 
Nasami Wasai led Nittaidai with 18 kills and 11 digs, and Ayumi Nakamura posted 14 kills.
 
The opening set saw UH use a 10-3 run to close the set and take a 1-0 lead. After a kill by Mai Takahashi (10 digs) cut the Hawai'i lead to 8-7, kills by Tuaniga and Hartong helped the 'Bows run off five straight points to take a 13-8 lead. UH maintained the momentum all the way through Goodman's game-winning kill.
 
Nittaidai was much more competitive in the second set, and held a late 18-17 lead. Goodman recorded a kill to even the set, and then regained the lead for UH on a block assist with Vorster. After a Nanami Wasai kill tied the match, the 'Bows caught fire, winning five of the set's final seven points.
 
Nittaidai staved off elimination with a resounding 25-14 set three win then nearly pushed the match to a fifth set. UH led 20-15 and looked poised to close the match, but Nittaidai rallied to tie the score at 21-21. Croson was at her best when the 'Bows needed her, recording a kill to fend of each of Nittaidai's three set points. A Hartong kill, followed block assists by Goodman and Tuaniga, gave UH the win.
 
1,763 tickets were issued for the match, with a turnstile count of 1,692. Associate Head Coach Scott Wong coached the team in Dave Shoji's absence who was off-island on a previously scheduled trip.
 
The Rainbow Wahine next take on Nebraska in their second and final Spring match. The 'Bows and Huskers will do battle Friday, Mar. 23, at War Memorial Gym on Wailuku, Maui. Start time is set for 6:00 p.m.





                                                                                    -UH-