The Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball team triumphed over Alaska Anchorage in a tightly contested five-set match to kick off their season. Despite losing the first set 32-30, the Vulcans rallied to win the next two sets and ultimately secured the match with a final set score of 15-10. Senior Alohi Garcia showcased an outstanding performance with a career-high 29 kills, while freshman setter 'Anolani Santos made a significant impact with 62 assists in her debut. The victory marks a strong start for Hawai'i Hilo in the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge, positioning them for future competitions.

By the Numbers
  • Alohi Garcia: 29 kills
  • 'Anolani Santos: 62 assists
  • Hawai'i Hilo: 10 aces vs. Alaska Anchorage: 2 aces
Yes, But

Although Hawai'i Hilo prevailed, their performance in the first set highlights potential vulnerabilities in closing out tight games, which could be a concern moving forward in the season.

State of Play
  • Hawai'i Hilo is currently 1-0 overall in the season.
  • Alaska Anchorage is now 0-2 after this match and their earlier loss to Chaminade.
What's Next

The Vulcans will face No. 16 Alaska on Friday, Aug. 21, as part of the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge, an essential test for their season performance and positioning in the conference.

Bottom Line

The thrilling opening match victory for Hawai'i Hilo sets a promising tone for their season, but they must address the challenges of maintaining momentum in high-pressure situations if they want to contend effectively in the PacWest Conference.