HONOLULU, Hawai'i. – The Hawai'i Pacific University women's volleyball team concluded their 2023 season against the University of Hawai'i-Hilo Vulcans on Saturday night while honoring the careers of
Kylie Komo,
Brynne Hopeau-Lampitoc,
Kianna Swingle, and
Pua Beazley. After an intense five set matchup, the Sharks bested the Vulcans and avenged their loss earlier this their PacWest foe of the season with scores 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, and 15-8.
Right on theme with the Senior Night festivities, senior setter Beazley would pick up two kills in the first set and pick a crucial service ace to put the HPU up 24-20.
Lindsey Tapp who made huge statistical leaps in her sophomore season, would end the first set with kill off a great assist from
Ella Dotson.
The next featured a back and forth affair where HPU would steal the momentum at the very end to take a 2-0 lead over the the Big Island thanks to crucial blocks from
Marley Sandoval and
Ella Schoene. The next two sets went in favor of the Vulcans as Emerson Reinke, who finished the game with 46 assists, helped Samara Cruz rack up 19 kills on the night.
In the final set of the night with the biggest crowd of the year, the Sharks walked back onto the court determined to salvage the win and see their senior teammates end their careers with a win. The score toggled between each team and remained through the opening serves. However, HPU would put some distance on Hilo with two kills by
Morghn Monahan along with two more from
Lindsey Tapp and Sophia Cooper. As the set continued the Sharks would go up 14-8 with Beazley up to serve for the final time at the Shark Tank. After a great serve the Vulcans sent the ball back towards HPU only to be denied by Tapp and Schoene, and the senior night celebration was made even more sweet with the victory.
Hopeau-Lampitoc would finish her final game with a huge service ace and nine digs. Swingle made 4 assists and 3 digs in her last sets at the Shark Tank. Beazley finished with 3 kills, 23 assists, and 3 aces to wrap up a career year in multiple categories. While Komo saved her best for last with career-high 31 digs and ending her season total at 306.
