Box Score

Fresno Pacific outlasted previously unbeaten Hawaii Pacific on its home court in an exciting five-set match, finishing up the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Invitational with a 3-1 record against some of the top NCAA Division II competition in the West.

The Sea Warriors entered play with a 3-0 record, including wins over #24 Sonoma State and a sweep of Seattle Pacific (a team that knocked off FPU 3-2), but an unbelievable blocking game led the way for a resilient Sunbird team that made quite a statement in the decisive fifth set.

The Sunbirds had led the match 2-1 before the Sea Warriors battled back to take set four 25-23. FPU responded in set five by jumping out to a 6-0 lead and extending it to 11-3. Karah Mitchell was in the zone, swatting kills left and right, and she would end it by driving home the final two points as the Sunbirds hit .438 in the set.

"This was a great tournament to come to," said head coach Kelly Winter. "The competition was great, the fans were loud and it was good to be tested early like this. Today's entire match was intense. Both teams played so well and it was very fun volleyball for the fans. It was a great atmosphere all weekend."

The blocking game ended up being the difference as the Sunbirds outblocked the Sea Warriors 17-4. Kathleen Anderson led the way with nine total blocks, Jessie Alcorn had seven and Amy Siemens added six.

The Sunbirds also benefited from a huge all-around performance from Rupia Inck, who finished with 19 kills and 19 digs. Erica Adachi was equally impressive, putting together a triple-double of 24 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs.

Mitchell was a difference maker for the Sunbirds, coming off the bench to tally 15 kills. Winter credited Emily Carroll as a big reason for the team's success as well, dishing out 24 assists and finishing nine digs. Hannah Butler led the defense with 20 digs.

Amanda Moriarity led HPU with 21 kills. Pihanakealoha Kea had 46 assists and Chelsey Buyuan had 27 digs.

The match counted as a non-conference match between the two PacWest opponents. The two teams face off October 27 in Fresno during conference play.

The Sunbirds now turn their attention to the Route 92 Showdown next weekend in the Bay Area where they'll face Holy Names, San Francisco State, Northwest Nazarene and Humboldt State.