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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (Courtesy of OCSports)

HONOLULU—The 16th-ranked University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team (6-1, 0-0 Big West) swept San Diego State, 25-17, 25-11, 25-21 to open the Outrigger Resorts Volleyball Challenge. Opposite Nikki Taylor led UH with 11 kills while tying her career-high with three aces to go with a season- and team-high eight blocks on Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center with 5.583 tickets issued.
 
In the first set, the 'Bows jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead which led to an early Aztec timeout. But San Diego State fought back to close to within three points at 13-10. UH however, would pull away to take a 1-0 set lead, 25-17. UH's block racked up five total blocks alone in the first set. UH hit for .200 in the first set, but held the Aztecs to a -.148.
 
Hawai'i then tied its most lopsided set win thus far this season, taking the second stanza, 25-11. UH won the last 9-of-11 points in to go up 2-0 going away. 
 
The third set between the Rainbow Wahine and San Diego State was much closer. Early on both teams were going back-and-forth before Tai Manu-Olevao served four straight points to lift UH to an early 7-3 lead. The 'Bows would go on to extend their lead to as much as seven at 18-11, but the Aztecs would eventually close the gap to trail by just three after Lauren Utchen served a string of four straight points for a 20-17 UH lead. Hawai'i would eventually pull away to win the final set, 25-21
 
Overall, the Rainbow Wahine roofing company came away with 14 total blocks, doubling up on SDSU's seven for the match. UH as a team hit .205 to SDSU's -.056—the lowest percentage for a UH opponent this season.
 
Hawai'i got five kills apiece from Olivia Magill and Tai Manu-Olevao. Savanah Kahakai led UH with 11 digs while Tayler Higgins came up with nine digs. Higgins had 19 assists with two kills and a service ace.
 
San Diego State was led by Deja Harris' seven kills while Emma Fuzie and Kaja Sandberg had five blocks each. Alexa Saba popped up eight digs to lead the Aztecs.
 
Hawai'i will now take on the No. 2-ranked team in the country on Friday night, the Florida Gators. The Gators defeated Eastern Washington in four sets earlier to start the day, 25-9, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16.