Box Score (html)

HONOLULU – The No. 7 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team completed a perfect road trip on Saturday, winning its third match in three days with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 sweep of host Wichita State at the Shocker Volleyball Classic. The 'Bows won their ninth straight match to improve to 11-1 while the host Shockers fell to 11-2.

Mita Uiato and Kalei Adolpho were named to the all-tournament team with Emily Hartong awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Hartong poured in a match-high 13 kills and Tai Manu-Olevao added 10 kills, five digs, and three blocks in a solid all-around performance.

Ashlyn Driskill led the Shockers with 10 kills and Ashley Andrade posted a match-best five blocks.

The 'Bows took a two-set lead and, learning lessons from Friday's five-setter against Creighton, finished off the Shockers in set three but not before taking their best punch. The 'Bows played catch up for most of the set but Manu-Olevao got in on a block to tie the score at 18-18. The two teams went back and forth down the stretch, and after two straight WSU points the score was tied at 23-23. The 'Bows then called a timeout and came back with two points of their own to ice the win.

Jade Vorster had a team-high four blocks and Ali Longo led the match with 20 digs.

The 'Bows went on an early 4-0 run to set the tone for the first set. A pair of kills by Adolpho extended the lead to 11-6 and a service ace by Uiato pushed the advantage to eight points. UH secured the win with another 4-0 run, this time late in the set.

The Shockers played Hawai'i much tougher in the second set, but three straight points midway through gave UH a little breathing room. WSU responded with kills by Andrade and Katie Reilly (7 kills, 8 digs) to even the set at 16-16, but the 'Bows regained the momentum and won four of the next five points to take a two-set lead.

UH concludes its non-conference schedule and will begin Big West Conference play next week hosting Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. Prior to the conference opener, the 'Bows will host Japanese professional club Toyota Auto Body Queenseis on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

-UH-