UH-Hilo’s volleyball team once again showcased its ability to bounce back.
Bria Beale smacked 19 kills with 23 digs Friday as the Vulcans beat Seattle Pacific 25-16, 27-29, 25-20, 26-24, splitting on the first day of the D2 West Region Showcase in Pomona, Calif.
Beale was just one short of her career high for kills, while her dig total set a career high. Emily Wade added 13 kills and six block assists, while Amber Tai had 12 kills.
Freshman setter Kendall Kott had a career-high 52 assists to help the Vulcans (4-2) to 61 kills in the four-set match. On defense, Kaila Lizama joined Beale with 23 digs.
Just a few hours after dropping a tight and tough four-setter to the Cal State Monterey (4-2), UHH came out strong against the Falcons (2-5). The Vuls jumped out to 5-1 and 11-6 leads, never trailing in the set. They would go on to hit a sizzling .344 in the game with Tai leading the way with six kills.
The Vulcans hit .269 for the match, had 85 digs and 22 blocks. Maddie Batiste led the Falcons with 20 kills.
In the earlier loss, Beale had 16 kills and 12 digs, while Tai added 15 kills.
A tougher day looms on Saturday for the Vulcans, first at noon when they take on No. 3 nationally ranked and unbeaten Western Washington.
They will wrap up tournament play against host Cal Poly Pomona.