Box Score HILO, HI (September 28, 2013) – After an emotional win over a highly ranked opponent on Thursday, the stage was set for a letdown in Hilo Saturday night. It never happened. The Hawai'i Pacific Volleyball Team (10-2, 4-0) throttled UH Hilo (5-4, 0-4) in the first two sets and hung on for a four set victory (25-16, 25-15, 15-25, 25-23).

The match started off as an HPU landslide. In set one, the Sea Warriors went up 6-1 and never looked back. The second set was more of the same with HPU doubling up the Vulcans at 10-5 early on. Hilo contributed to its own demise with 17 hitting errors in the first two sets combined.

It seemed a forgone conclusion that HPU would sweep, just like it did the last time the two teams played in Honolulu eight days ago. That night, HPU handily won the first two sets, but then lost the next two. Hilo didn't forget and promptly dumped the Sea Warriors in the third set by a 25-15 count.

HPU Head Coach Daryl Kapis knows his young team needs to develop the killer instinct, "We need to get better in our consistency in closing out matches, especially on the road."  
 
Kasey Thompson wanted to leave no doubt in the fourth set; the sophomore reeled off three kills to stake HPU to a 5-0 lead. The Vulcans would stay close however. Hilo trimmed the lead to 9-8, but a 7-2 HPU run put the Sea Warriors back in control, capped by another Thompson kill. Hilo wouldn't get closer than three until the late stages. An HPU service error and hitting error suddenly made it a 24-23 game. It was again Thompson who ended the set with a kill.

"It is always tough to play in Hilo, but I'm really happy to start conference 4-0," said Kapis.

Thompson led the way with 15 kills to go with her .364 hitting percentage. Pomai Recca and Samantha Rummans each had 11 kills.

Recca had a double-double by adding 10 digs. Hannah Schuett joined her with 20 assists and 11 digs.

Hilo native and senior Chelsey Buyuan played in her hometown for the final time and recorded 10 digs.

Other notable performances came from Marie Fujii who had 17 assists, and from Haley Doerfler who had four total blocks. Amanda Moriarty had team-highs in digs (13) and services aces (5).

All four of HPU's conference wins are over other Hawaii schools. The Sea Warriors will now head to the mainland for four games in five days in the Bay Area. HPU will start with Holy Names on October 2nd.