HONOLULU – The fourth-ranked University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team finished its season-opening homestand with a perfect 6-0 mark following a straight-set victory over 19
th-ranked Princeton, Friday in the finale of a two-match series at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-17, 25-17, 25-23.
The Rainbow Warriors (6-0) used a powerful serve to once again propel them to victory. UH totaled nine aces in the sweep and 25 for the series for an average of 3.57 per set. Hawai'i's block also came alive on Friday with 9.5 total compared to only two in Wednesday's four-set win.
In front of a crowd of 7,000+, many of whom dressed in red to celebrate the match's Lunar New Year theme, the Warriors hit .333 compared to .135 for the Tigers.
Adrien Roure led the way with 10 kills, six digs, and four aces.
Clay Wieter added nine kills while
Justin Todd tallied five kills and six blocks.
Mason Rice led the Tigers (0-3) with a match-high 11 kills.
UH jumped out to a 10-6 lead in Set 1. The lead was 13-7 after the three-point spurt and 18-11 following Nusterer's second block of the set. The 'Bows went on to hit .524 with three aces and three blocks.
Hawai'i rattled off three straight points for a 11-8 advantage in Set 2. The extended run was 12-4 as the 'Bows built a 20-12 lead. UH reeled off three more aces and three more blocks in the set.
The Warriors scored five unanswered in Set 3 for a 14-9 lead. The 'Bows surged to an 18-11 advantage before the Tigers scored four straight to pull within three. Princeton got within two at 19-17 and then one at 24-23. On UH's third match point, Todd and
Kainoa Wade teamed up to block Nyherowo Omene to complete the sweep.
UH will take the next week off before travelling on its first road trip of the season at Brigham Young for a two-match series, Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1 in Provo, Utah.
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