RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Entering Big West play as the defending champions and preseason favorite, the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team took care of business at UC Riverside on Thursday, sweeping the Highlanders (25-21, 25-19, 25-16). The Rainbow Wahine (4-5, 1-0 Big West) are now 28-0 against the Highlanders (4-8, 0-2 Big West) all-time.
 
The middles were the story of the night for Hawai'i, with the pair of sophomore Amber Igiede and senior Skyler Williams combining for 18 kills on 36 swings. The pair also combined for 11 blocks in the match.
 
Igiede led all attackers with 13 kills, the eighth time in her career she has posted 10-plus kills and the first time this season a middle blocker has led the 'Bows in kills. The Baton Rouge, La. native added four blocks while Williams tallied a match-high seven rejections.
 
As a team, the Rainbow Wahine hit .320 on the match, led by freshman setter Kate Lang's 36 assists, a career-high and a match-high. Lang also added four blocks.
 
The Highlanders scored the first point of the match, and led 6-2 in the first set before Hawai'i went on a 6-1 run to force UCR into a timeout. Four kills in the first set by both Igiede and sophomore Riley Wagoner helped UH to a 25-21 first set win.
 
UH took the first point of the second set, growing a 4-1 lead before another Highlander point. The 'Bows would go on to hit .306 in the second set and keep the Highlanders from crossing the 20-point threshold, taking the set 25-19.
 
UCR scored the first point of the third set but quickly watched UH take a commanding lead that was insurmountable. Fourteen kills by the 'Bows and the lone block of the set ended the match in quick just under an hour and a half.
 
The Rainbow Wahine travel up the state of California to take on UC Davis on Saturday from Davis, Calif. First serve is set for 4 p.m. HT.