Back pressed against the wall, UH-Hilo dominated in the blocking and digging departments and returned to form in a much-needed sweep against Point Loma on senior day, which provided a significant amount of inspiration.
The Vulcans suffocated the Sea Lions’ offense in a 25-20, 25-19, 26-24 win on Saturday night at UHH gym, putting themselves in a good spot when the NCAA West Region rankings poll is released on Monday.
UHH (10-6, 15-4 PacWest) holds sole possession of second place in the conference and has to win its final three matches to have a shot at its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2011. Biola (21-6, 17-3), a transitioning member, is ineligible for the NCAA tournament.
Also on Saturday, Azusa Pacific (No. 5 in the poll) beat Chaminade (No. 8) and with Point Loma (No.9) losing, the Vuls are likely to leapfrog the latter two in the second poll, which helps determine the eight regional teams.
However, it’s the final poll that counts. UHH still has to play Fresno Pacific (7-21, 6-13) on Wednesday at home and Hawaii Pacific (12-14, 11-9) on Friday and Chaminade (21-5, 15-5) on Saturday on Oahu.
“Before the match, we had a talk that it was going to be our day, not their day. It’s going to be our day on senior day,” UHH coach Gene Krieger said.
The Sea Lions (16-11, 13-7) lost to HPU and Chaminade on Oahu and apparently their offspeed shots (tips and rolls) were lost in the luggage somewhere. UHH outblocked them 15-7. Armani Moultrie served as president of the Vul roofing company with seven stuffs.
UHH had its typical firepower balance. Bria Beale had 10 kills, Ashton Jessee five while Moultrie, Alexandria Parisian, and Evelin Solyomvari had four kills each for the Vuls, who hit just .148.
They didn’t need to hit for a high percentage because the Sea Lions kept beating themselves. They had a whopping 45 unforced errors, which led to a .022 hitting clip; UHH had just 25 giveaway points.
Sometimes, stats don’t tell the whole story. Point Loma actually had more digs, 62-57. But Mina Grant resembled a blanket and covered with the court with 16 digs, and Beale added 11 digs for a double-double. Setters Maile Powell and Basia Sauni each had nine digs.
The Vuls didn’t need to do much work to win. Game 2 is a good example. Point Loma had a frustrating 17 unforced errors, including getting blocked six times. UHH only had to score eight points — that’s the definition of easy street living.
Kayla Chapman was the only Sea Lion who didn’t swing with her eyes closed. She had nine kills and hit .389. Her teammates took turns turning the offense into oatmeal, and Point Loma had a lowly .022 hitting clip.
Saturday was designated as senior day, even though on Wednesday will be the final home match for seniors Sauni, Solyomvari, Grant, and middle blocker Kiley Davis, who played in 16 matches before missing the rest with an ankle injury.
It was a nice senior celebration because the four seniors all had family fly over and present lei. The four seniors will all graduate in the spring with kinesiology degrees, except for Grant, who’s a marine science major. They’ll have another opportunity to give each other lei at graduation.
The seniors have all played major roles in UHH’s breakout year. The Vuls were 9-18 last season in Krieger’s second season.
Grant, a four-year starter, has been one of the program’s best liberos and ranks second in career digs. Sauni, an All-American at Scottsdale community college, was Krieger’s first recruit and Davis followed her to UHH. At opposite, Solyomvari, second in team kills, lengthens the offense with Beale at the left post.
“We had a talk and asked how many of you have had a conversation about being in the NCAA tournament and no one ever had,” Krieger said. “The seniors have been part of that turnaround.”
Grant, Sauni, and Solyomvari bring different skill-sets, but it’s the two-way dual threat Davis who gives the hitting and blocking a powerful wallop. She was cranking bullets at a career-high .309 when she went down and led the team in blocks last year.
She was cleared on Friday but didn’t play. The competitor in her is itching to get back on the court.
“I feel like I should have been on the court helping my teammates. I’ve been going to physical therapy,” said Davis, who put her college education to good use. “My conditioning is great. I’ve been jumping on a trampoline and working hard.”
The hard work continues for the Vulcans, who control their own destiny in a do-or-die gauntlet. At least, after losing to Azusa Pacific in four sets on Wednesday, they have everyone back and look like themselves again.
