LONG BEACH, Calif. – The No. 5 University of Hawai'i concluded a five-day road trip with a 4-1 loss at No. 2 Long Beach State Tuesday at the LBSU Sand Court. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 3-3 with their second straight loss, while the 49ers improved to 6-1.
 
Despite the score, the Rainbow Wahine had a good shot at upending the nation's No. 2 team, but lost a pair of pivotal three-set matches at the top two flights.
 
The 49ers won the first two matches of the day at the No. 4 and 5 positions. Lauren Minkel and Jocelyn Neely defeated Katie Spieler and Ginger Long 21-14, 21-17, while Tyler Jackson and Janisa Johnson also won in straight sets, defeating Ku`ulei Zalopany and Olivia Urban 21-15, 22-20.
 
Hawai'i got is lone point of the day in the third flight, as Ali Longo and Karlee Riggs defeated Delainey Aigner-Swesey and Libby Fontanilla 21-18, 21-17.
 
Both of the remaining matches reached a third set. The 49ers ultimately clinched the match with a 19-21, 21-10, 15-7 win in the top flight, as Caitlin Ledoux and Tara Roenicke rallied from a first set loss to Jane Croson and Ashley Kastl. The day concluded with the most competitive match of the day in the second flight as Bre Mackie and Chelsea Cabrajac outlasted Natasha Bell and Tai Manu-Olevao. 21-10, 19-21, 15-13
 
The Rainbow Wahine will next return to California with four straight dual matches, beginning with a meeting at Irvine Valley College on Friday, April 5 at 11:00 a.m. PT (8:00 a.m. HT).
 
Dual Match Results
#2 Long Beach State 4, #5 Hawai'i 1
1. Caitlin Ledoux/Tara Roenicke, LBSU def. Jane Croson/Ashley Kastl, UH 19-21, 21-10, 15-7
2. Chelsea Cabrajac/Bre Mackie, LBSU def. Natasha Bell/Tai Manu-Olevao, UH 21-10, 19-21, 15-13
3. Ali Longo/Karlee Riggs, UH def. Delainey Aigner-Swesey/Libby Fontanilla, LBSU 21-18, 21-17
4. Lauren Minkel/Jocelyn Neely, LBSU def. Katie Spieler/Ginger Long, UH 21-14, 21-17
5. Tyler Jackson/Janisa Johnson, LBSU def. Ku`ulei Zalopany/Olivia Urban, UH 21-15, 22-20
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2