UH-Hilo showed two sets worth of resiliency before succumbing to a roll-away.
Azusa Pacific notched its fifth consecutive sweep and were the only undefeated Pacific West Conference volleyball team remaining Monday night after denying the Vulcans 25-23, 27-25, 25-12 on the first stop of their Southern California road trip.
The match ended in Cougar domination and a devastating 20-6 run, but that’s not how it began.
Senior middle Kiley Davis posted eight kills for the Vulcans (6-3, 2-1 PacWest), who saw a four-match winning streak end.
They were in contention in Game 1 at 21-21 after a Alexandria Parisian kill, but Azusa (9-4, 5-0) pulled away with the next three points.
They were in control for most of the second set, jumping ahead 22-17 on Bria Beale’s kill. Azusa answered with four points in a row, and after kills by Davis and Evelin Solyomvari, the Cougars took the last three points, carrying the momentum into the third set.
Davis hit .278, giving her 17 kills in the past two matches, Beale added seven kills, and Ashton Jessee posted six kills on a .357 hitting percentage with five blocks.
The Vuls were outhit .197-.105.
Chaminade was perfect in conference play, but the Silverswords also were swept Monday in Los Angeles County, by Biola. The Vuls will be in La Mirada to face the Eagles on Thursday, after they visit Irvine on Wednesday to play Concordia.