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Campus & Community

Volleyball senior night ends with a Seasider win

A BYUH volleyball player setting the ball for a spike for the player behind her
Photo by Monique Saenz

The BYU–Hawaii women’s volleyball team capped off their 2015 season with a win on senior night against UH-Hilo in three straight sets. Leilani Adolpho led the team with a double-double, notching 16 kills along with 21 digs.

“I am so proud of these girls,” said Head Coach Mona Ah-Hoy, “We are losing several seniors that have made a remarkable impact on our program. It was a bit of an up-and-down season, but it’s always nice to end with a win.”

The Lady Seasiders said good-bye to four seniors this year: Kathleen Kalougata, Brydgette Tatupu, Michelle Chen and Kulia Murray.

Kalougata joined the team back in 2013 after transferring from Utah State-Easter. In here three-year career here at BYUH she has given the Lady Seasiders consistent hitting and defense from the outside hitter and back line positions.

“I am going to miss this school and program, I have loved my team here and the players I have played with, they have all influenced my life,” said Kalougata, an exercise and sports science major from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Kalougata finished with a double-double in her last game, getting 11 kills and 11 digs.

Tatupu also joined the team back in 2013 after transferring from Dixie State. In 2013 she was a key player on both the women’s volleyball and basketball team before taking last year off to focus on basketball. This year she has been a solid player off the bench for the Lady Seasiders. She finished her last game with 18 digs.

Chen has been one of the best setters in BYUH history. Chen has had a setter career here at BYUH starting in 2011 when she won PacWest Freshman of the Year. Since then, she has been a two-time All-American, two-time All-PacWest First Team selection and helped lead the Lady Seasiders to the national title back in 2013.

Chen was named as the Preseason PacWest setter of the year at the start of the season and has not disappointed. She led the team with assists this year and has been a key part of both the Lady Seasiders offense and defense.

“I am going to miss the sisterhood I have felt her but I definitely want to be back here next year to help coaching,” said Chen, a senior from Kaosiung, Taiwan.

Murray joined the team in 2014 after transferring from Casper College. As a setter she proved a capable back up to Chen throughout her three-year career here at BYUH. Particularly last season when Chen red shirted, Murray helped led the Lady Seasiders to the PacWest Conference title and to the regional tournament.

The Lady Seasiders (15-13) finish the year in a two-way tie for third place with Fresno Pacific. Unfortunately the Lady Seasiders were not selected to go on to the regional tournament. Regardless, the win over Hilo was a fitting way to send off these graduating seniors.