For a day, UH-Hilo women’s volleyball tean could exhale.
But not Monday, when the Vulcans will learn their NCAA tournament fate, nor Saturday night, when they fought off Academy of Art 25-17, 25-23, 15-25, 26-28, 15-6 in front of a senior night crowd of 789 at their gym.
Senior Tori Daligcon came off the bench to put home aloha ball and seal UHH’s 23rd win of the season. It will find out if it will have a chance for more when the NCAA unveils its Division II brackets during a 2:30 p.m. selection show.
“Some of this seemed scripted, some wasn’t how I would have written it,” said Vulcan head coach Chris Leonard. “But we got the win which has been one of our hallmarks this season, showing the ability to battle back. It was a great night for our seniors and I am very happy for them.”
UHH (18-4 Pacific West Conference) exuded another hallmark as well: balance
Freshman Emily Wade posted had 17 kills on .444 hitting with 11 blocks, Bria Beale posted 15 kills and Alexandria Parisian had 13. Senior Kaila Lizama had 19 digs, and Kendall Kott contributed 47 assists, five kills, 11 digs and six blocks.
Carly Evetts led the Urban Knights (12-18, 9-13) with 17 kills.