HONOLULU – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team played well in its opening game in Hawaii, but the Sunbirds fell short against Chaminade 3-1 on Friday night at McCabe Gymnasium. After winning the opening set, the Sunbirds held set points in the third and fourth frames before the Silverswords stormed back to earn the PacWest victory on their home court. Set scores were 12-25, 25-23, 27-25 and 28-26 in favor of CUH.  
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Chaminade 3, Fresno Pacific 1
Records: FPU (2-9, 1-2 PacWest), CUH (8-3, 3-0 PacWest)
Location:  Honolulu | McCabe Gymnasium
Series: The Sunbirds and Silverswords are tied at 4-4
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds dominated the opening set with a 25-12 victory. FPU jumped out to a 18-7 lead and never looked back, hitting a blistering .448 in the frame.
• FPU battled in the second, eventually leading 23-22 at one point, but the Silverswords managed to even the match.
• The 'Birds looked in command in the third and held a 24-21 lead before CUH mounted a fierce comeback. The Silverswords scored six of the last seven points in the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
• Looking to force a decisive fifth set, FPU led 25-24 but couldn't close out the set to fall in the match.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Christina Tran had a massive game for the Sunbirds, nearly totaling a triple-double in the setback. The sophomore totaled 20 assists, 20 digs and eight kills.
• Malerie Crenshaw led FPU with 12 kills, while Gabriela Macedo put down 11 kills (.333) to go along with 16 digs.
• Greta Dobenecker dished out a team-best 24 assists and Sierra LeBeau scooped up 15 digs.
• FPU totaled 81 digs as a team and outhit Chaminade .181 to .148 in the match.
• Claire Zanon totaled 18 kills for the Silverswords, while Danielle Wiley dished out a game-best 31 assists.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The .448 hitting percentage in the opening set was a season best for the 'Birds.
• Tran's eight kills were career best. She also totaled her fifth double-double of the year.
• Macedo grabbed her first double-double of the season, while she amassed double-digit kills for the first time since 2015.
• Crenshaw has reached double-digit kills in two of her last three matches.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds hop to the Big Island for a game against Hawai'i Hilo on Saturday. The match is slated to start at 10 p.m. PST.