HONOLULU — Hawai'i Pacific University Acrobatics & Tumbling started its senior night strong in the first half of its meet with No. 2 Oregon, but the Ducks showcased their talent in the second half to beat the Sharks 284.660-to-274.225 on Monday night at Moanalua High School.
 
HPU battled with the Ducks early winning all but the Tumbling heat the Compulsory event. Senior Daisha Paulino, juniors Amara Poquette, Haley Turner, Ivee Kaye, and freshmen Brianne Aguigui and Arianna Balogh posted a perfect 10.0 in the Toss heat, but just fell short of the Ducks in the event 38.65 – 38.70.
 
In the Acro Event, the Sharks and Ducks split the first two heats evenly and the Ducks overtook the last heat winning the event 29.50 – 29.20.
 
Oregon continued to score consistently high scores through both the Pyramid Event posting three scores of 9.95 while the Sharks did the same less a 9.85 in the Open heat. Going to intermission, the Sharks trailed the Ducks by 0.45.
 
The Sharks witnessed the tough competition in the Toss Event with the Ducks posting scores of 9.85, 9.85, and 10.00 while the Sharks posted scores of 9.65, 9.55, and 9.60 respectively bringing the running total to 127.75 – 126.40 Ducks.
 
It wasn't until the Aerial Pass of the Tumbling Event that the Sharks would come on top with sophomore Makayla Garland posting a 9.925. In the 6-Element Pass, Daisha Paulino brought the heat with a 9.75 out of 10, but it wasn't enough to topple the Ducks. Going to the Team Event, the Sharks were down 181.425 – 185.400.

The Choreographed Team Routine for HPU has a starting value of 105.16, and the Sharks tallied 92.80 of those points creating a 12.36 point deficit from perfect. On the other side, the Ducks had a starting value of 107.910 and picked up 99.260 points for an 8.65 point deficit from perfect and a 10.435 lead over HPU to end the meet.
 
HPU completed its regular season with the match. They next wait to see if they will draw a berth to the NCATA Championships in Erie, Pa. to starting on Thursday, April 26 at Gannon University's Hammermill Center.