Rainbow Wahine Survive Volleyball Scare

By Fred Guzman

The University of Hawaii and New Mexico State treated a national television audience on ESPNU to a five-set volleyball thriller last night at Las Cruces.

And the eighth-ranked Rainbow Wahine were pushed to the limit before emerging with a 17-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-27, 15-5 victory.  UH improved to 16-1 overall and 6-0 in the Western Athletic Conference while the Aggies fell to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in the WAC.

Displaying her All-American form, senior outside hitter Kanani Danielson  registered 22 kills, while Jane Croson had 17 kills and 12 digs. Emily Hartong added 11 kills and Brittany Hewitt had a match-high nine blocks.

Freshman Kalei Adolpho of Molokai contributed four kills on seven swings and added a pair of blocks. The 6-foot-1 Adolopho, who also plans to play basketball for UH, has appeared in 20 sets this season and has responded with 20 kills, an outstanding .476 hitting percentage and 22 bloocks.

Meredith Hayes led New Mexico State with 22 kills.

The Aggies evened the match in an exciting fourth set, but UH took control of the decisive fifth set to secure the victory and preserve a 42-match WAC winning streak.

Next up for Hawaii is a Friday match at Louisiana Tech.