College volleyball: Rainbow Wahine sweep Duke in opener

The University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team had to sweat a little more than usual this season to get to the NCAA tournament.

In its NCAA opener Friday, the Rainbow Wahine hardly broke a sweat.

Nikki Taylor and Olivia Magill each recorded 10 kills and Tai Manu-Olevao added eight as Hawaii swept Duke 25-15, 25-19, 25-17 in a first-round game in Seattle.

“I thought we started to play our best volleyball last week,” UH coach Dave Shoji said in a university release. “We had a week of really good practices. I had a good feeling we were going to come out and play well tonight and we did. We were pretty solid in every phase of the game and I thought we dominated the match.

“We took away what Duke likes to do and I think it is just a tribute to our players that they followed the game plan and prepared very well.”

The Rainbow Wahine (22-6) will face host Washington (30-2) at 5:30 p.m. HST in the second round. The third-ranked Huskies swept New Hampshire 25-9, 25-6, 25-18 in their first-round match.

“I have probably watched them 10 or 12 times,” Shoji said. “They are a great team. What gives us some hope is that they have lost twice in the last couple weeks and they have some injuries. It gives us some hope. (Krista) Vansant is obviously the best player in the country so we have to find a way to slow her down. I like our chances.

“ I think we are playing well and we are going to come out firing.”

Ginger Long came off the bench for an injured Kalei Adolpho on Friday and delivered six kills and four blocks.

Hawaii enjoyed a sizable advantages in hitting (.277-.050) and blocking (20-7).

Emily Sklar led the Blue Devils (22-8) with a 11 kills and six digs.

Hawaii was playing in its 22nd consecutive NCAA tournament, but it had its streak of 19 consecutive conference titles snapped this season.