TURLOCK, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University hung tough with home-standing Stanislaus State in the first two sets in their opening match at the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase, but fell in straight sets 3-0.
 
The Warriors (2-3) defeated the Sharks (3-3) in three, 25-22, 25-22, 25-14.
 
The Sharks were outgunned at the net, as Stanislaus State recorded 11.0 team blocks to HPU's 2. The outstanding Stanislaus blocking was one reason why HPU hit just .115 for the match, while the Warriors hit .238.
 
HPU and Stanislaus battled hard in the opening two sets.
 
In set one, HPU surged back from a six-point deficit to grab a 22-21 lead on a Lea Felton kill only to have the Warriors sweep the next four points to win the set 25-22 on an ace by Maddi Seidl.
 
Set two once again saw a late Shark run that pulled HPU from a six-point deficit to trailing 22-21. However, following a Stanislaus State timeout, the Warriors notched three of the last four points to grab the set 25-22.
 
The Sharks never led in the final set, pulling as close as 17-14 before the Warriors went on an 8-0 run to close out the match.
 
Senior Pomai Recca recorded 11 kills and 13 digs to lead the Sharks. Sophomore Carson Pyle added seven kills and led the team with two blocks.
 
Stanislaus State's Blair Ehrlich led the Warriors with 17 kills, while Taylor Massengale posted 12 kills while hitting .524 and tallying seven blocks.
 
The Showcase featuring teams from the PacWest Conference, Great Northwest Athletic Conference and California Collegiate Athletic Association continues on Friday and Saturday. HPU faces Western Oregon and Alaska on Friday, and meets Chico State on Saturday afternoon.
 
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