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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Emily Hartong had a match-high 20 kills, Sarah Mendoza posted a career-best 15 digs and the No. 12 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team overwhelmed UC Riverside for a straight-set win on Friday night at the SRC Arena. Set scores were 25-20, 25-15, 25-18.
 
The win, coupled with UC Santa Barbara's loss tonight at Long Beach State, puts Hawai'i in control of its own destiny for a 19^th straight conference title. With a win on Saturday at Cal State Fullerton in their regular season finale, the 'Bows will claim at least a share of the Big West Conference title.
 
The 'Bows (23-4, 12-3 BWC) handily won the opening two sets then broke away from the Highlanders (2-26, 1-15 BWC) in set three to complete the sweep. UH trailed by three points midway through the set but kills by Nikki Taylor and Jade Vorster (5 K) helped even the score at 10-10. With the set tied at 14-14, Hawai'i went on an 11-4 run to close the set and win the match.
 
Hartong and Kristiana Tuaniga shared team-high honors with three blocks and Taylor added eight kills, eight digs, and two blocks for a solid all-around effort.
 
Lindsay Hornsby led UCR with a match-high five blocks and Maddie Hubbell posted 15 digs.
 
UC Riverside opened the first set winning five of the first six points, but the 'Bows rallied with six straight points midway through, then three consecutive Hartong kills put UH ahead 22-17.
 
Set two wasn't nearly as close. Mendoza won four straight points off her serve and UH used a 10-5 run to take a commanding two-set lead.
 
Start time for Saturday's match at Cal State Fullerton is set for 7:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. HT).