St. George, UT (10/8/10) – On the campus of Dixie State College, the HPU women's volleyball team defeated the Red Storm, 3-2 (25-18, 16-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-8). HPU improves to 10-2 overall and 4-1 in the PacWest, while DSC drops to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in conference.
Natasha Bell (Sunnyvale, CA)recorded 18 kills and 22 digs to lead HPU. Kelly Balanay (San Diego, CA) and Sanoe Recca (Waimanalo, HI) each added 14 kills and Kyra Pelayo recorded a match-high 37 digs.
Brita Noble led Dixie State with 12 kills and 16 digs.
After two lopsided wins by both teams in games one and two, HPU and Dixie State played a very competitive game three. Kills by Balanay and Recca gave the Sea Warriors a 22-20 lead but Dixie State rallied to take the game and grab a 2-1 lead.
Facing elimination, HPU rallied from a late deficit in game four to even the match. With HPU trailing 23-20, a pair of kills by
Courtney Curran (Long Beach, CA) brought the Sea Warriors level at 24-24, and a service ace by
Tricia Yoshimura (Honolulu, HI) gave HPU the win.
Curran and Brittney Wood (Metairie, LA) each added seven kills, and Pihana Kea (Honolulu, HI) recorded 23 digs.
HPU and Dixie State retake the court for another match, tomorrow, October 9. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
