(MANOA, HI) – The Hawaii Pacific University volleyball team faced a challenging start to their season, dropping two regular-season matches at home and a hard-fought exhibition against Canada's Brock University. Despite the tough results, the Sharks demonstrated resilience and moments of strong play that will serve them well as they move deeper into the season.
Match 1: HPU vs. Alaska Anchorage (August 29, 2024)
In their season opener, the Sharks took on a formidable Alaska Anchorage team. The Seawolves overpowered HPU in four sets (25-10, 25-13, 14-25, 25-18). Alaska Anchorage's efficient offense and tough defense were too much for the Sharks, who struggled to find consistency early in the match. HPU showed signs of life in the third set, rallying to take the set 25-14, but couldn't sustain the momentum.
Statistical Highlights:
Match 2: HPU vs. Alaska Fairbanks (August 31, 2024)
HPU's second match was another tough contest, this time against Alaska Fairbanks. The Seawolves swept the Sharks in straight sets (25-10, 25-23, 25-21). HPU showed improvement as the match progressed, particularly in the second set where they nearly evened the score, but ultimately fell short.
Statistical Highlights:
Exhibition: HPU vs. Brock University (August 30, 2024)
In between their regular-season matches, HPU hosted an exhibition game against Brock University from Canada. The Sharks put in a spirited performance, but the experience of the visiting team prevailed in the end. While the match does not count towards their season record, it provided valuable court time for the Sharks to refine their play and gain further experience.
Looking Ahead
Though the Sharks have started their season with losses, they've shown flashes of potential that bode well for the future. With their home crowd behind them and lessons learned from these early matches, HPU will look to bounce back and secure their first win of the season in the upcoming games.
