Survive and advance – it’s a winning proposition in the NCAA volleyball tournament, too.
Survive and advance – it’s a winning proposition in the NCAA volleyball tournament, too.
Hawaii had its share of harrowing moments Friday in securing its 19th consecutive trip to the second round, but the Rainbow Wahine shrugged off a two-set comeback by Southern California, a standout performance by freshman Khalia Lanier and myriad ebbs and flows in emotion to eke out a 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 16-25, 15-13 in Minneapolis.
Game 5 was tied 12 times before No. 12 Hawaii (23-5) took the last three points on Trojans hitting errors, advancing to face overall No. 2 seed Minnesota at 2 p.m. Saturday on the Golden Gopher’s home court for a berth in regionals at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Reigning two-time Big West Player of Year Nikki Taylor swatted seven of her 23 kills in the decisive set and added 10 digs and six blocks as four Wahine registered double-digit kills.
Hawaii started three freshmen – Natasha Burns, Emma Smith and Norene Iosia – but the real frosh sensation was Lanier. The daughter of Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter slammed a match-high 26 kills, though Hawaii forced her into 11 attack errors, including a shot that went wide on match point.
Lanier finished the season with 1,406 attacks, third-best for season in school history.
Junior middle Emily Maglio played a huge role in Hawaii’s 11th consecutive victory, compiling a career-high 15 kills and six blocks with no hitting errors for a sparkling .484 hitting percentage. McKenna Granato finished with a double-double (11 kills, 10 digs) and Annie Mitchem added 11 kills.
Making his 36th NCAA appearance, Hawaii coach Dave Shoji handed counterpart Mick Haley his initial first-round exit in his 17 seasons with the USC (18-14).
Now comes the hard part.
Minnesota, which finished the regular season ranked No. 1, swept North Dakota in the first round. The Golden Gophers kept Shoji from reaching his 10th Final Four last year, beating Hawaii in four sets in the regional finals.