Honolulu, HI (November 3, 2012) – In its second to last home match of the season, the Hawai'i Pacific University volleyball team (15-8, 9-6) made quick work of the visiting Vulcan's of University of Hawai'i at Hilo (4-15, 4-9), sweeping them in straight sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-13) on Saturday evening, on the campus of St. Andrew's Priory.

Set one saw the match tied seven different times, the last being at 14-14 which was followed by a 4-0 run by the Sea Warriors, capped by a Kara Wong ace. HPU would again make a 5-0 run, making the score 24-17, which all but sealed the set. Haley Doerfler had three kills and hit a stunning .750 in game one.

In game two, the Sea Warriors would jump out to a quick 4-0 lead, three of the first four points behind the serving arm of Amanda Moriarty. The Vulcan's would keep it tight, however, down the final stretch of the set. A kill by UH-Hilo's Abbey Wade would make it as close as 21-20, but a dump, by Pihanakealoha Kea, on set point would wrap up game two and give the Sea Warriors a 2-0 game lead.

In the final game of the match, the Sea Warriors would not give the Vulcans a breath of life, having three runs of five points or more, including a nine point run making the score 24-12, and eventually ending UH-Hilo's night with a dominating kill by Sanoe Recca.

With HPU having some operating room in the third set, every healthy Sea Warrior played. “It was great that we got to play everyone that was healthy tonight. We have so many girls who work hard every day in practice and it was nice to reward them all,” said HPU head coach Daryl Kapis.  

Seniors Pihanakealoha Kea and Sanoe Recca would pace HPU in their respective statistical categories. Kea ended her night with 30 assists and added two kills of her own, while Recca threw down 12 kills and hit a very respectable .379. Sea Warrior newcomer Elizabeth Culpepper would chip in another eight kills, while hitting .353.

HPU hit .270 on the night and would block a remarkable 15.5 attacks taken by UH-Hilo.

The Vulcan's Bria Morgan would have a game high 17 kills, on 47 attempts, and setter Jolie Au dished out a team high 27 assists.

The Sea Warriors will take the home court again on Wednesday, November 7 versus Cal-State Bakersfield. The game is scheduled to start at 7 PM at St. Andrews Priory. It will be senior night for Kea and Recca.

Box Score