HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team fell to Minnesota in five sets in their first of two spring matches this week. All 10 Rainbow Wahine who suited up got significant playing time in the exhibition on Tuesday night at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
 
Although Amber Igiede played only the first three sets, she proved why she is the reigning Big West Player of the Year. The middle blocke, recorded nine kills for a .533 hitting percentage (9-1-15) to go with a team-high six blocks, six digs, and an assist.
 
Soon to be sophomore Caylen Alexander put down a team-high 14 kills to go with eight digs, a service ace and an assist. Kendra Ham also got the start at outside and buried 11 kills with five digs and an assist and an ace.
 
Setter Kate Lang distributed a match-high 37 assists with six digs, two aces, a block and a kill, while libero Tayli Ikenaga scooped up a match-high 16 digs. After playing middle last season, the versatile Tiffany Westerberg started at the pin and played all six rotations, notching seven kills, four digs, two aces, and a block.
 
After trailing early in Set 1 by as many as five, Hawai'i fought their way back to tie the set at 10-10 on an Alexander kill. Neither team lead by more than two points until the 'Bows pulled away at the end, winning five of the last six points, including the last three straight. Alexander finished the set with her team-leading sixth kill.
 
Set 2 was tied at 6-6 when Minnesota went on a 6-to-1 lead to take a 12-7 lead. The Golden Gophers would extend their advantage to 20-10 when UH went on a 5-fo-1 run which was highlighted by a pair of Igiede kills and three blocks by the Mānoa Roofing Company. But Minnesota would surge, winning Set 2, 25-17 to even the match at 1-1.
 
An early 5-to-0 run by the 'Bows in Set 4 gave UH a 10-6 lead. UH would pull away, winning six of the last seven points to win Set 3, 25-13. The Mānoa Roofing Company was in business with four blocks in the frame—led by deGoede who was in on three of the rejections.
 
An early 8-to-1 rally gave the Golden Gophers a 10-4 lead from which the Rainbow Wahine were unable to recover from. Minnesota took Set 4 going away, 25-18 to even the match at 2-2.
 
In the fifth set, Minnesota started with a 5-1 lead and never looked back. The Golden Gophers would win the match taking Set 5, 15-9.
 
Minnesota was led by Mckenna Wucherer's match-high 15 kills. Arica Davis was in on a team-high four blocks and setter Melani Shaffmaster had a double-double with 36 assists and 12 digs.
 
The same two teams will square off in their second and final spring match against each other on Wednesday, March 8^th at 7:00 p.m. at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.