HILO, Hawaii (Aug. 21) – Junior middle blocker
Martina Riba had six kills and five block assists Friday to lead a balanced effort for the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team, which earned
Morgan Hooe's first head-coaching victory with a 25-15, 25-20, 25-18 sweep of Hawaii Pacific at the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Seawolves (1-2) also got seven kills apiece from outside hitters
Kyana Gabriel – a Hilo High School product – and
Lee Ivakina as they got at least five kills from five different players.
The Sharks (0-2) were led by 12 kills from outside hitter Sophia Cooper, but the rest of her teammates were held to -.024 hitting.
"Today was a great first step, especially coming off a close loss last night," said Hooe, who took over head-coaching duties this offseason after three years as the program's top assistant. "We withstood each of their runs and took control of each set, and our setters did a nice job of spreading the ball to different hitters."
UAA got three kills and a pair of solo blocks, including on set point, from senior
Bella Burney as it took control with a dominant opening frame.
Leading just 16-15 in the second, Riba blasted two kills in a three-rally span to help the Seawolves pulled away late. The Barcelona native had three kills on three swings and a block assist in that set, finishing with .667 hitting (6-0-9).
HPU claimed a 10-9 edge in the third before UAA responded for the sweep, getting a combined eight kills from Gabriel and Ivakina, and seven digs from Gabriel in the frame.
UAA's setting duo of
Hannah Trotter and
Anna McWhorter combined for 31 assists, while McWhorter earned her first career kill.
Sophomore libero
Mary Nahinu finished with six digs and a match-high three aces, and freshman middle blocker
Patri Ferran notched her first two career kills as well.
Burney and junior rightside hitter
Emma Beck finished with five kills apiece.
The Seawolves conclude the tournament tomorrow, facing off against either Chaminade or Hawaii Hilo at noon or 3 p.m. ADT. Visit GoSeawolves.com for updates.
