Box Score (html)  |  VIDEO: Rainbow Wahine Score 21 Straight Points

HONOLULU – It was a record setting night for the sixth-ranked University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. Nikki Taylor established a new career-high of 20 kills and two team records fell as the 'Bows opened Big West Conference play with a 25-22, 25-5, 25-20 win over Cal State Fullerton on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Ali Longo won 20 straight points off her serve in UH's second-set dominance as the 'Bows won a program record 21 straight points. UH (12-1, 1-0 BWC) also established a new rally-scoring mark when they allowed CSF only five points in the second set.

Taylor was far and away the top hitter of the evening. Her 20 kills came off just 30 swings as she finished the match with a .567 hitting percentage. Tai Manu-Olevao drilled 10 kills and posted eight digs and four blocks, and Longo had a match-high 18 digs.
Leah Best, Alyse Hensley, and Bre Moreland all had six kills to lead the Titans who fell to 7-6 and 0-1 in the Big West.

Taylor's three early kills helped UH race out to an early 8-2 lead in set one. The Titans stayed in the set and cut the lead to 11-7 off a Holland Crenshaw kill, then later Moreland's slam tied the score at 17-17. The set saw three more ties before a pair of Taylor kills gave UH a 23-21 lead to pace UH to the win

Set two saw the 'Bows take a 2-2 tie and run off 21 straight points. Taylor highlighted the run with six kills and Manu-Olevao added three more to help UH to its record-setting performance. The five Titan points broke the record set in 2002 when the 'Bows allowed Boise State just six points.

CSF had chances to push the match to a fourth set, but the 'Bows grabbed an early lead in the third frame and held on for the win. A pair of late kills by Manu-Olevao helped UH break a 19-19 tie and win six of the set's final seven points.

Emily Hartong finished with six kills and 11 digs, and Kalei Adolpho had eight kills and four blocks.

The 'Bows continue conference play on Sunday when they host UC Riverside at 5:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.