PHOENIX — The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team picked up its third consecutive sweep on Friday night, defeating Grand Canyon 25-23, 25-23, 25-20 at Global Credit Union Arena to open a two-match Mountain West Conference series.
The Rainbow Wahine improved to 3-0 in conference play while raising their overall record to 11-3 in the program's best start since 2019.
Senior outside hitter
Panna Ratkai led the Hawai'i offense with 14 kills and posted her fifth double-double of the season with 11 digs to go along with two service aces.
Middle blocker
Miliana Sylvester provided an efficient performance, putting away 11 kills in 17 attempts in a .529 hitting performance. Setter
Adrianna Arquette guided the attack with 30 assists, and also contributed seven digs, two kills, and a season-high three aces.
Outside hitter
Cha'lei Reid chipped in six kills, including match point. Libero
Victoria Leyva led four 'Bows in double-figure digs with 18 digs.
Tali Hakas came up with a season-high 15 digs and freshman
Cameron Holcomb also set a season best with 11.
Hawai'i hit .165 as a team, but limited Grand Canyon to a .179 hitting performance. The Lopes (7-7, 1-2 Mountain West) entered the week leading the conference in hitting percentage at .257. UH finished with five total blocks, four coming in the third set to help power the 'Bows to the road sweep.
The teams traded sideouts for much of the first set before UH surged ahead with a 4-0 run to take a 21-17 lead on kills by Sylvester and Ratkai. GCU closed to within a point on two occasions, but
Rachel Purser put away UH's third attempt at set point to give the 'Bows the lead in the match.
UH went on a 4-1 run to take a 22-18 lead in the second set, and GCU responded with a four-point surge to tie the set. The teams traded service errors late Hakas ended a rally off an assist from Leyva to send UH into intermission with a 2-0 lead.
The third set saw 10 ties before Hawai'i finally pulled away. With GCU leading 11-8, Arquette sparked a 5-0 UH run with back-to-back aces. Locked at 16-16, the 'Bows moved ahead when Sylvester teamed with Maëli Cormier on a block then hammered a kill. UH led 22-20 then closed out the match with a kill from Cormier, a solo block by Purser, and Reid's final kill.
UH and GCU conclude their series on Saturday. First serve at Global Credit Union Arena at GCU is set for 6 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (3 p.m. Hawai'i Time).
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