Wahine Sweep Baylor, Face Cal For Title Tonight

Molokai’s Kalei Adolpho (18) finished with a match-high five blocks and teammate Jane Croson had 11 kills and seven digs Saturday against Baylor. File photo by UH Athletics.

By Rodney S. Yap

Sporting its first long sleeve uniforms in three seasons, the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team turned back previously unbeaten Baylor on Saturday at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center, 25-17, 25-13, 25-19.

The Bears fell to 4-1 while UH remained perfect at 5-0.

Baylor swept No. 25 California on Friday but proved to be no match for Hawai’i. The ‘Bows made quick work of the Bears and will claim the tournament title with a win tonight against Cal.

Emily Hartong posted a season-high 18 kills to go along with seven digs. Jane Croson added 11 kills and seven digs of her own, and Molokai’s Kalei Adolpho had a match-high five blocks.

Alyssa Dibbern and Laura Jones shared team-high honors with six kills each. Each set saw UH flip the switch and run away with the win.

In set one, after a kill by Baylor’s Tori Campbell (5 kills) evened the score at 11-11, the ‘Bows took off on a 6-1 run to gain command of the set. With the score 20-15, Croson recorded a pair of kills to put the Bears away.

Set two was no different as the ‘Bows cruised by the Bears 25-13. Jones posted a kill to give Baylor a 7-6 lead, but it would be the Bears’ last of the set. UH scored five straight points midway through the set and coasted to the win. Back-to-back kills by both Hartong and Croson pushed the lead to 17-12, and the ‘Bows closed the set with eight straight points to grab a firm grip on the match.

Completing the sweep would not be easy though, as Baylor made the ‘Bows work for their set three victory. Hawai’i trailed 16-14 before Ashley Kasti (2 kills) sparked a 6-0 Rainbow Wahine run to put Baylor away.

Earlier in the evening, San Francisco topped California in five sets (22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 15-12). First serve between UH and California is set for 5 p.m. following the conclusion of the 3 p.m. match between Baylor and San Francisco.

Boxscore by NCAA.