HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University took the first set but that would be it as Dominican (Calif.) claimed the last three in route to a 3-1 PacWest Conference wine on Monday night at James Castle Gym at St. Andrew's Priory.
 
The Sharks (2-6, 1-1) fell to the Penguins (3-5, 1-2) 25-21, 14-25, 21-25, 12-25.
 
The Sharks hit just .156 but tallied 8.0 team blocks. DUC posted a .258 hitting percentage with 6.0 team blocks.
 
HPU junior Perla Escobar of Calexico, Calif./Calexico, recorded her third double-double of the season in leading the Sharks with 11 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Camryn Collie of El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge, recorded nine kills and three blocks and led the team by hitting .261. Seniors Carson Pyle of Houston, Texas/Memorial and Chandler Lippincott of Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista both tallied four blocks.
 
Dominican was paced by Kate Evan with 12 kills and four blocks, while Brittany Latigue posted 12 kills with a .500 hitting percentage and two blocks. Brittania Chan double-doubled with 11 kills and 11 digs.
 
HPU started strong to grab the first set, using a late 5-2 run to open up a lead they wouldn't relinquish to win 25-21.
 
But the second set saw the Penguins crush the Sharks 25-14 and held off HPU 25-21 in the third set.
 
The final frame saw DUC jump out to a 12-5 start and never look back in winning 25-12 to take the set and the game.
 
HPU is scheduled to play again on Wednesday night in a PacWest Hawai'i Challenge contest against Chaminade at McCabe Gymnasium, depending on Tropical Storm Olivia. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.