Honolulu, HI (September 2, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific women's volleyball team (3-1) lost to PacWest newcomer Fresno Pacific (3-1) in a non-conference game as a part of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts HPU Challenge. The hotly contested match went to FPU in five sets (22-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-23, 9-15) and could be the start of a volleyball rivalry for both schools.

 After HPU overwhelmed opponents in its first three matches with a strong block, the tables were turned on Sunday at St. Andrew's Priory. FPU posted 17 total blocks while the Sea Warriors only managed four. Partly because of this, FPU also won the hitting percentage battle .199 to .140.

The turning point of the match came in the first set. HPU appeared to take a 23-21 lead, but after a conference, the official reversed his previous call and gave the point to FPU. With the score tied at 22, FPU ran off three straight points to win set one.

HPU controlled the second set and led 22-13 at one juncture. A kill from Haley Doerfler iced the set and tied the match. FPU was equally as good in the third set and regained a set advantage. The fourth set was close the whole way, HPU was down 21-22 but a kill by Christina Furrer tied it. An ace by Makamae Recca gave HPU the lead, and then her sister added a pair of kills to win the set.

HPU fell in a 1-7 hole in the fifth set and was unable to recover.

Amanda Moriarty kept HPU close with a huge performance of 21 kills and 14 digs while hitting .218. Doerfler and Kasey Thompson each had 11 while Sanoe Recca had nine. Pihanakealoha Kea again led the team with 46 assists and added 11 digs. Chelsey Buyuan led the Sea Warriors in the dig department with 27.

HPU will host Western Oregon on Thursday at 7 PM at St. Andrew's Priory as a part of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts HPU Challenge.

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