OREM, Utah – The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team took on their first road opponent of 2021 with reigning WAC Champion, falling in a five set marathon match, 3-2 (23-25, 25-14, 23-25, 26-24, 12-15).
 
The Rainbow Wahine (2-2) out-hit the Wolverines (1-2), had more kills, had more aces, had fewer service errors, out-dug their opponent and out blocked their opponent, but still fell in the match. UH hit over .323 in both of the sets the team won, but hit under .125 in two of the three sets they lost.
 
Redshirt senior Brooke Van Sickle had a career night in Orem, posting career-highs in kills (20), and digs (24), leading the match in both categories. Sophomore Amber Igiede also posted a career-high in kills, terminating 15 swings.
 
Hawai'i started slow in the first set, allowing Utah Valley to grow a 10-6 lead after a block. UH battled back though, cutting the lead over the back portion of the set to tie the set at 18-18. Five service errors between both teams kept the set close until the end which concluded with a UVU kill to win 25-23.
 
The second set started completely opposite of the first, with the 'Bows scoring the first three points of the set before taking an 11-6 lead. Back-to-back aces by Van Sickle forced the Wolverines into a timeout at 14-8. Hawai'i scored 11 of the next 17 points to close out the set 25-14.
 
In the third set, neither team led by more than four points and the set was once again tied late in the set, 18-18, just like the first set. Five UVU kills, a UH attacking error and a Wolverine ace helped Utah Valley score seven of the last 12 points to take the set.
 
Just like the first and third, the fourth set was a battle, and saw Hawai'i fight off a match point at 24-23 UVU after leading 20-16 late in the set. Three UH blocks, including back-to-back blocks at 24-24, and 25-24 gave the 'Bows the set.
 
Hawai'i was forced to take a timeout early in the fifth set, falling behind 5-3. A kill from freshman Martyna Leoniak tied the set at 6-6 and three straight points down 9-7 gave the Rainbow Wahine their first lead of the set since 1-0 and forced a timeout from Utah Valley. Tori Dorius scored four of UVU's final five points to help secure its first win of the season.
 
The 'Bows will take on #22 San Diego on Friday at 8:30 a.m. HT in Salt Lake City, Utah.