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GULF SHORES, Ala. – The University of Hawai'i women's sand volleyball team had Long Beach State's number heading into the tournament opener, but it proved to be immaterial in a 3-2 loss to the 49ers on Friday morning at the AVCA Sand Volleyball National Championship.
 
Hawai'i (17-2) will now have to climb out of the losers bracket in the double-elimination tournament facing Florida State at 3:00 p.m. CT (10:00 a.m. HT). The Seminoles lost to Florida International in their opening match.
 
Sammie Brown and Hannah Rooks pulled out a tight 23-21 set one win at the three flight against Bre Mackie and Janelle Hudson, then took care of business in set two for a 23-21, 21-15 win. But with wins at the No. 1 and No. 5 flights, the Beach had taken a 2-1 lead and were in control of the match. Nikki Taylor and Brittany Tiegs rallied at the No. 1 flight but dropped set three in a 21-17, 19-21, 15-12 loss to Delainey Aigner-Swasey and Chelsea Cabrajac.
 
Long Beach State (15-5), who plays the winner of FIU and Florida State, clinched the win on the No. 2 court. Katie Spieler and Olivia Urban had rallied to push the match to a third set but would fall 21-18, 14-21, 15-12.
 
Ka'iwi Schucht was the top hitter for the 'Bows with 27 kills to go along with two aces at the four flight. Spieler had a team-high 25 digs with Rooks leading UH with three blocks.

Long Beach State 3 Hawai'i 2
1) Aigner-Swasey/Cabrajac (LBSU) def. Tiegs/Taylor (UH) 21-17, 19-21, 15-12
2) Jackson/Brinke (LBSU) def. Spieler/Urban (UH) 21-18, 14-21, 15-12
3) Rooks/Brown (UH) def. Mackie/Hudson (LBSU) 23-21, 21-15
4) Schucht/Tucker (UH) vs. McHugh/Wagner (LBSU) 17-21, 29-27, 5-4, uf
5) Nieto/Thomas (LBSU) def. Boyan/Schreiber (UH) 21-19, 21-18