The BYU–Hawaii volleyball team had an up and down week as a big win against first place Dixie State University on Nov. 12 was undone as the Lady Seasiders fell to Hawaii Pacific University two days later.
The win against Dixie State put the Lady Seasiders one game out from first. However, after a disappointing loss to HPU, the Lady Seasiders fell two games behind first and into a three-way tie for second.
Against Dixie, who came into the match with a nine-game win streak, the Lady Seasiders came out firing with a 6-1 run to start the match off strong. Despite being down, Dixie was able to string together some points to cut BYUH’s lead by two, 15-13.
After a time out taken by BYUH, the Lady Seasiders once again extended their lead 18-14 behind kills by Sinamoni Tonga and Leilani Adolpho, and an ace by Kulia Murray.
Michelle Chen and Brittany Waite added a kill as the Lady Seasiders closed out the set 25-16. The Lady Seasiders had a balanced attack getting three kills from six different players, while limiting Dixie to a .143 hitting percentage.
The second set was a lot tighter as the teams started the set in a back-and-forth deadlocked battle. After an error by Dixie and a block by the Lady Seasiders, BYUH was able to finally create some separation leading 12-9. The Lady Seasiders capitalized on some errors by Dixie to extend their lead to 18-13.
Tonga added the final two kills for the Lady Seasiders as they ran away with the set late, 25-17.
The Lady Seasiders continued to ride their momentum behind a kill by Tonga and an ace by Chen, as they jumped out to a 5-1 lead. From then on it was all BYUH as strong offensive and defensive plays by the Lady Seasiders overwhelmed Dixie as BYUH took the third set 25-14 and finished the sweep.
Kathy Kalougata recorded a double-double in the match with 11 kills and 12 digs. “This was a great win for us, we played really well and came out with a lot of energy,” said Kalougata, a exercise and sports science major from Idaho Falls, Idaho. “It was great because everyone was able to get into the action and it was a great team win.”
After the surprising sweep of first place Dixie, the Lady Seasiders were unable to maintain the momentum as they fell to inter-state rival HPU in four sets, 3-1. Kalougata continued with a hot hand as she led the Lady Seasiders with another double-double, getting 15 kills and 16 digs.
After a strong first set that saw BYU-Hawaii go on a 10-1 run early and eventually take the set 25-13 it looked as though the Lady Seasiders would go for another sweep. However, HPU would battle back and after a 9-0 run in the second set HPU took the secondset 25-18.
The next two sets saw the Lady Seasiders give up early leads as HPU closed out the Lady Seasiders in four sets. “The loss was definitely disappointing. We did not play our best and we just have to really focus now on the future and winning these next two games,” said junior Elizabeth Solaita, a psychology major from Laie, Hawaii.
Barring an implosion by Dixie, it is not likely the Lady Seasiders will repeat as conference champions and it will be a long shot to make the regional tournament. “It’s tough to swallow, but we can’t dwell on the past,” said Tonga, a sophomore TESOL major from Kahuku, Hawaii. “You never quite know what is going to happen with other teams in the conference. All we can do is do our best to win these last two games.”
The Lady Seasiders now go on the road to play inter-state rival Chaminade on Nov. 20 and then will be back in Laie for the final game of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 21 against Hawaii-Hilo.