Hilo, HI (September 15, 2012) – Freshman Amanda Moriarty and Kasey Thompson combined for 39 kills to make short work of the Vulcans (0-7, 0-1) in the PacWest Volleyball opener. Hawai'i Pacific (7-2, 1-0) won 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-17) after losing the opening set.

HPU had a big day on offense with Moriarty notching 21 kills and Thompson earning 18. “Kasey Thompson and Amanda Moriarty were big bright spots for us and they helped turn the tide,” said head coach Daryl Kapis. As a team, the Sea Warriors hit .220, up .034 from their season average. Pihanakealoha Kea passed out a season-high 52 assists to facilitate the attack.

Things didn't start off so well for HPU however, the Sea Warriors trailed 10-5 in the first set and after briefly tying the game at 17, Hilo went on a 5-0 run to give the Vulcans control. “We didn't come out ready to play, and with five service errors in game one we couldn't get our team in rhythm,” said Kapis.

 The second set was tight throughout, with the green and blue trailing 23-22 late. After an HPU timeout, the Sea Warriors got back-to-back kills from Haley Doerfler and Sanoe Recca to put Hilo on the brink, a UHH hitting error would tie the match at one. The third set was close until HPU pulled away after a 16 all tie to record the five point win. The forth set was all Sea Warriors, after falling behind 2-0; HPU cruised to the 25-17 win.  

Recca added 10 kills while Doerfler had nine. Moriarty and Thompson also hit for high averages, .350 for Thompson and .308 for Moriarty. Chelsey Buyuan had a game-high 20 digs in a homecoming for the Hilo native. Kea, Moriarty, and Kara Wong also posted double figure dig days.

HPU will next return home next Saturday to host Dixie State at 5 PM at St. Andrew's Priory.

Shark Bites: Moriarty's 21 kills are the most since (she also did it against Fresno Pacific earlier this month) Kelly Balanay got 22 against Grand Canyon on 10/11/10…The 39 combined kills from Moriarty and Thompson is the most for HPU teammates since Antje Buskies and Balanay combined for 44 against Grand Canyon on 10/5/07…It is worth noting that both Grand Canyon matches went five sets.

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