In a rematch for a volleyball postseason berth, Chaminade again had too much firepower for UH-Hilo.
The Silverswords outlasted the Vulcans 25-20, 17-25, 25-13, 17-25, 15-9 on Saturday on Oahu, extinguishing UHH’s shot for a berth to the West regional.
On Sunday, the NCAA Division II field will be released on ncaa.com. In the latest West region rankings poll that helps determine the eight-team regional, Chaminade (23-5, 17-5 PacWest) was seventh, and UHH (21-7, 17-5) was 11th.
The Silverswords had far more kills than the Vuls, 68-46, a better hitting percentage, .264-.197, and more digs, 69-48.
In the first meeting, a four-set loss at UHH gym, the Vulcans had a tough time defending outside hitters Rachel Reedy (19 kills, .567) and Alana Handy (16 kills, .424).
It was deja vu.
On Saturday, Handy pounded 18 kills and hit .405, Reedy had 13 kills and hit .280 while Brooke Bell was a hammer in the middle with 15 kills and a .379 attack clip.
Bria Beale led UHH with 14 kills and hit .270 but no one else reached double-digits in kills. Evelin Solyomvari had nine kills but hit just .192.
Mina Grant picked up 21 digs, and the Vuls outblocked Chaminade, 9-6.
But UHH couldn’t regain its momentum after winning Game 4.
Handy and Claire Zanon had 19 digs each, and Emma Tecklenburg, who added 16 kills, got nine digs.
The third set was a turning point. The Silverswords closed the game on a 12-1 run, dropping four aces.
In Game 4, UHH jumped on a 6-1 scoring spree, behind four aces, but couldn’t stop the Reedy-Handy due in the final set.
They combined for Chaminade’s last four points with Handy getting match point.
Next season, the road to a West regional berth will be a lot tougher for the Vulcans, who lose three starters in libero Mina Grant, setter Basia Sauni, and opposite Solyomvari.
Chaminade only graduates Bell. PacWest champion Azusa Pacific and Biola, which will be eligible for the postseason next season, will be obstacles as well.
