SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University suffered its third straight loss on Friday night, as Dominican (Calif.) posted a 25-15, 14-25, 25-22, 26-24 PacWest Conference victory at the Conlan Center.
 
The Sharks (2-11, 1-4) battled back from a five-point deficit late in the fourth set to hold a 24-23 lead on serve, only to see the Penguins (1-13, 1-4) take the next three points to win their first match of the season.
 
The  Sharks recorded a .144 attack percentage with 5.0 team blocks, while the Penguins hit .174 with 8.0 team blocks.
 
HPU was led by the play of senior Lauren Christie of Lebanon, Ore./Lebanon and sophomore Ella Dotson of Tucson, Ariz./Marana who each chalked up 10 kills. Senior Nicole Ferris of Woodstock, Ga./Etowah added eight kills and led the Sharks with four blocks.
 
Tiff Wong led DUC with 12 kills and double-doubled with 22 digs, while Edee Leslie posted nine kills, a .368 hitting percentage and six blocks. Kiana Pelton contributed eight kills.
 
Through the first three sets there was only one lead change and three ties. But the contest changed in the final set.
 
After a tie at 1-1, Dominican built and held the lead, opening it up to five points at 19-14. That's when HPU came back, using a 5-1 run to get within one at 20-19. After allowing another point to the Penguins, the Sharks use another 3-0 run to take a 22-21 lead. The Penguins answered with two scores for a 23-22, with the Sharks answering with two more points to get to 24-22 and serving set point. But Dominican returned the run with three straight points to snuff out the come-back and win 26-24 to take the match 3-1.
 
HPU closes its Northern California swing on Saturday by taking on Academy of Art. The match, at Gleason Gym in Belmont, Calif., is set for 11 a.m. HST (2 p.m. PDT).