IRVINE, Calif.—The No. 5 University of Hawai'i water polo team captured its third win of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational at the Anteaters Aquatic Complex Sunday morning by taking down No. 15 UC Santa Barbara 10-4 to finish fifth in the three-day event.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (11-2) are currently in the midst of a 12-match road stretch, knocking out 10 of those with an 8-2 record, with two more matches left to go and every single win coming against top-20 opponents. The Gauchos (13-5) have had a similar stretch, playing in both the Triton Invitational and Barbara Kalbus Invitational, same as UH, going a combined 5-3 in those two invitationals.
 
Sunday morning may have produced lingering effects from the two matches on Saturday as UH got off to a slow start, falling behind 3-1 in the opening period. The two squads traded goals before the end of the frame for a 4-2 UCSB advantage, and then the match shifted dramatically.
 
UH didn't allow another goal for the rest of the match and scored eight consecutive goals from the second period through the fourth for a dominating final.
 
Junior goalie Bridget Layburn tallied a .750 save percentage as she recorded 12 saves, tying her career-high. Freshman Bia Mantellato Dias led the offensive onslaught, netting five goals on nine shots, and picked up an assist. After being held scoreless by No. 4 California, Mantellato Dias has scored a combined nine goals over two matches. Senior Emma van Rossum got in the offensive push, notching her fourth multi-goal match of the season with two goals and two assists.
 
UH will have two more road matches before returning to the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on March 17^th against USC. Till then, the 'Bows will open Big West action with a rematch at UCSB on March 10^th, followed by a stop at CSUN on March 12^th.