San Francisco, CA (October 25, 2012) – With baseball's World Series as a backdrop, the Hawai'i Pacific volleyball team (13-7, 7-5) kept its playoff hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over Academy of Art (6-15, 3-8) in San Francisco. Amanda Moriarty paced the Sea Warriors with 17 kills and 12 digs as HPU won 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, and 25-18.

It was also a small measure of revenge on Art U who derailed HPU's postseason plans last season. “Our team was on a mission to beat the team who ended our playoff hopes last year,” said head coach Daryl Kapis.

However, it would not be an easy win. In the first set, HPU found itself in seesaw affair and trailed 19-17 late in the set. Haley Doerfler and Kasey Thompson then took over; each had three kills in the set's waning moments to give HPU the win.

The second set was similar to the first with HPU falling behind 21-19 late. A kill by Moriarty sparked a 5-0 HPU run that settled the issue.

The third set was also very close; it was tied at 24 before a pair of attack errors sunk the Sea Warriors.

In the fourth set, HPU was able to impose its will. The Sea Warriors built a 12-6 lead on a kill by Pihanakealoha Kea and never looked back. HPU kept Art U at arm's length the rest of the set and won 25-18.

“Offensively everyone contributed in a positive way against a very big block. I am proud of my team that just finished playing their third game in four days,” said Kapis.

Four Sea Warriors had double figure kill nights including Thompson (16), Doerfler (13), and Sanoe Recca (11). Kea had another big night with 49 assists and 16 digs. Chelsey Buyuan had a game-high 28 digs as Kara Wong added 11.

HPU will now face its toughest opponent of the road trip, Fresno Pacific, on Saturday in Fresno at 1 PM PST.  

Box Score