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SEATTLE – The Big West's top blocking team brought its muscle to Washington, as the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team dominated Duke at the net in a 25-15, 25-19, 25-17 sweep at Alaska Airlines Arena in the opening round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
 
Ginger Long was the story of the night for the 'Bows (22-6), coming off the bench to replace an injured Kalei Greeley in the first set. She recorded eight digs and four blocks (two solo) while adding six kills. Nikki Taylor and Olivia Magill each put down a team-high 10 kills with Tai Manu-Olevao belting eight kills at a .412 clip.
 
The 'Bows also had a 20-7 blocking advantage.
 
Emily Sklar led the Blue Devils (22-8) with a match-high 11 kills and six digs.
 
The 'Bows got off to a great start in set one, putting down three blocks in their first six points to take a 6-3 lead. Savanah Kahakai (5 digs) came in and won three straight points off her serve as UH extended its lead to 15-9 at the media timeout. Hawai'i frustrated the Blue Devils at the net all match, who hit for a negative percentage in the opening set.
 
The 'Bows kept it rolling in set two, taking an early 3-0 lead on the heels of a pair of Manu-Olevao kills. Duke would recover though and tie the set at 9-9, but Taylor responded with a pipe kill to put her team back in front. The 'Bows would be unable to shake Duke until a Kalei Adolpho block and kill spearheaded a late 4-0 run and the 'Bows won going away.
 
Hawai'i returned from the intermission and put the Blue Devils away. In the blink of an eye, the 'Bows went up 17-4 and cruised to the win.
 
The 'Bows now move on to play host and overall No. 3-seed Washington on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. HT). The Huskies swept New Hampshire in the second first round match of the evening.