Box Score HONOLULU –Hawai'I Pacific University mounted a strong performance early against No. 14 Alaska-Anchorage, but the defending NCAA Division II West Region semifinalist came back strong to beat HPU in straight sets in the Sharks season opener.
 
UAA (2-1) downed the Sharks (0-1) 25-20, 25-15, 25-13 Saturday night at James Castle Gym at St. Andrew's Priory.
 
HPU struggled against the strong front line of the Seawolves who collected 11 total blocks for the match and forced the Sharks to a negative .009 hitting percentage. The defending Great Northwest Conference Champions hit .231.
 
HPU senior Pomai Recca led the Sharks with seven kills and 15 digs, while junior Lea Felton tallied five kills with four blocks.
 
UAA's Diana Fa'amausili and Leah Swiss each posted 10 kills, while Fa'amausili added five blocks.  Swiss his .321 for the match.
 
HPU played UAA tight in the opening set, holding a 19-17 lead late in the first stanza. But a service error allowed the Seawolves to go on a 7-0 run and end first set hopes.
 
In the second and third sets, UAA opened up quick leads as the Sharks played catchup the rest of the way.
 
HPU is off until Thursday night when the Sharks open play in the Hawai'i Invitational when they host San Francisco State at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew's Priory.
 
Tournament play continues on Friday when HPU crosses Oahu to meet Alaska-Fairbanks at BYU-Hawaii's Cannon Activities Center. Saturday Hawai'i Pacific hosts Montana State-Billings and Cal Poly-Pomona, with SF State playing MSU-Billings in a neutral site match at St. Andrew's Priory.
 
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