Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball suffered a straight-sets defeat against No. 16 Alaska (25-23, 25-22, 25-18) on Saturday, marking their first loss of the season and concluding the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge. This match reflected a shift from the Vulcans' earlier victory over Alaska, showcasing the competitive nature of the event. With this win, Alaska emerged as the champion of the challenge, while Hawai'i Hilo holds a 2-1 overall record. Key players included Alohi Garcia and Kaliko Kealoha, both securing 10 kills for the Vulcans. Recognition went to Garcia and Santos as All-Tournament Team members, while Alaska's Haylee Lyons earned MVP honors.

By the Numbers
  • Hawai'i Hilo: 2-1 Overall (0-0 PacWest)
  • No. 16 Alaska: 3-1 Overall (0-0 Great Northwest Conference)
State of Play
  • Hawai'i Hilo's recent win against Alaska on Friday was a significant highlight, but Saturday鈥檚 loss reversed that momentum.
  • The use of the NCAA Challenge Review System marked the event as significant, enhancing officiating standards in this level of competition.
What's Next

The Vulcans are set to compete in the FPU Sunbird Classic next week, with four matches scheduled against various teams, including No. 11 Fresno Pacific. This tournament will serve as an opportunity to regroup and strengthen their season standing.

Bottom Line

Hawai'i Hilo must capitalize on their upcoming matches to build momentum and recover from this loss, ensuring they maintain a strong position heading into the PacWest season.