HONOLULU – The Hawaii Pacific University women's volleyball team fell to the University of Hawaii at Hilo in straight sets Saturday afternoon at the HPU Shark Tank. Despite a competitive third set and strong individual performances from Sophia Cooper and Mia Ferdinand, the Sharks were unable to overcome the Vulcans, falling 25-12, 25-21 and 25-23. HPU moves to 4-20 overall and 3-15 in PacWest play.
Cooper led the Sharks offensively with 11 kills on 25 attempts, committing just one attack error for an impressive .400 hitting percentage. She also contributed six digs, one service ace and one solo block. Ferdinand added five kills without an attack error, hitting .357 while recording three solo blocks. Ella Schoene finished with six kills on 11 attempts for a .364 hitting percentage and contributed three block assists. Mayah Nakasato and Cooper tied for the team lead with six digs apiece, while Lauren Harris dished out 11 assists.
Hawaii Hilo established control early in the opening set, using a 7-0 scoring run to extend its advantage to 14-4. The Sharks responded with consecutive points behind Jordyn McCutcheon and Chayse Hoon, but the Vulcans maintained their lead and secured the opening frame 25-12. HPU improved its offensive production in the second set, recording 13 kills while battling through seven ties and four lead changes. A service ace from Nakasato gave the Sharks an 11-10 advantage, but Hawaii Hilo regained control and built a 19-14 lead. HPU responded with a late push, highlighted by kills from Schoene and Ferdinand, cutting the deficit to 22-21 before the Vulcans closed out the set 25-21.
The third set featured the closest battle of the afternoon, with nine ties and five lead changes. HPU jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage before Hawaii Hilo responded to take the lead. Trailing 14-11 midway through the frame, the Sharks put together a four-point run behind consecutive kills from Cooper and a combined block from Schoene and Leilani Yanuaria to take a 15-14 lead. The teams continued exchanging points down the stretch, with Rosie Larkin delivering a service ace to put HPU ahead 21-20. Ferdinand later recorded a kill to tie the set at 23-23, but Hawaii Hilo answered with consecutive kills to secure the 25-23 victory and complete the sweep.
Hawaii Pacific finished the match with 32 kills, a .211 hitting percentage, 30 assists, 32 digs and seven total blocks. The Sharks also recorded three service aces while committing just one service error. Hawaii Hilo finished with 53 kills and a .339 hitting percentage, led by Alohi Garcia's 16 kills and Chase Koepke's 13. Anolani Santos directed the Vulcans' offense with 44 assists, while LC Nakagawa recorded a match-high 12 digs.
