Box Score

Hawaii Hilo Hilo 5-8,2-3 PacWest

Fresno Pacific FPU 7-6,4-1 PacWest

Hawaii Hilo Hilo

5-8,2-3 PacWest

Final

Oct. 04, 2023

Fresno Pacific FPU

7-6,4-1 PacWest

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Hawaii Hilo Hilo	25	23	14	25	13	(2)
Fresno Pacific FPU	20	25	25	20	15	(3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 10/4/2023 8:22:00 PM

Sunbirds Win a 5-Set Thriller Against the Vulcans

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Hawaii Pacific University

10/5/2023 | 6:00 p.m.

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Oct. 05 (Thu) / 6:00 p.m.

Hawaii Pacific University

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FRESNO, Calif.- It was another five-set thriller between the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (7-6 overall, 4-1 conference) and the Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans (5-8 overall, 2-3 in conference) Wednesday night at the Special Event Center that ended in a Sunbird win.

The 'Birds came out swinging early winning capturing five of the six first points to take an early lead.

After a series of errors by the Sunbirds, the Vulcans created a run to tie the game 6-6.

The back-and-forth continued throughout the set, with both teams struggling with multiple errors.

Hawaii Hilo ultimately broke through capturing the last five straight points off three service aces and a pair of errors on Fresno Pacific to take the first 25-20.

The second set proved to be the mostly tightly contested with over nine tie scores and four lead changes.

With the set score tied at 23-23, the Sunbirds capitalized on two straight points after an error on the Vulcans and a kill by Madison Girnius to take the second 25-23.

The Sunbirds carried that momentum into the third. Tied at 5-5, Fresno Pacific went on a six point run featured by an error on the Vulcans, two kills by Geneva Elliott and Makena Ogas, and a service ace from Cambria Waites to take the 11-6 lead.

Fresno Pacific never looked back winning the last few points off kills from Claire Corippo, Ogas, and another service ace by Waites.

In the fourth, with the score tied 11-11, Hawaii Hilo went on a four point run to take their biggest lead of the set.

The Sunbirds fought their way to storm back within one, but the Vulcans never surrended the lead taking the set 25-20.

The 'Birds found themselves down early in the fifth as Hawaii Hilo built a early 6 point lead.

Fresno Pacific slowly chipped away at the lead with kills from Ogas, Mia Gilcrest, and Elliot to bring themselves back within three at 11-8.

Three straight points by the Sunbirds off a pair off errors on the Vulcans and a kill from Girnius tied the score at 11-11.

Both teams traded the next four points to keep the tie at 13-13.

With the score tied, Waites delivered another crucial service ace, her third of the match, to give the Sunbirds match point at 14-13.

Another tricky serve by Waites was too much for the Vulcans as they comitted the hitting error handing the Sunbirds the set 15-13, and the match 3-2.

"We squeaked it out," head coach Mike MacNeill said. "We outperformed Hilo in moments when it mattered most."

Three Sunbirds tallied ten kills or more with veteran Ogas leading the way at 13.

As a team, the Sunbirds recorded 14 service aces, the highest of them season, with Corrine Acosta tallying four.

"Offensively, our middles controlled the net tonight. They forced the block to respect them," MacNeill added. "Which opened up Mak and Claire."

Tonight's win against the Vulcans is the the third straight five-set victory for the Sunbirds.

"Mia's ability to contain the Vulcans in Serve Receive was the difference maker. Their game plan was clearly to attack from the service line, and Mia answered the the call tonight. I am proud of the resiliency we showed tonight. Hopefully we can start fast and finish strong tomorrow again Hawaii Pacific," MacNeill finished.

Fresno Pacific will look to carry the momentum into tomorrow as they continue their homestand against the Hawaii Pacific Sharks at 6pm in the Special Events Center.

SUNBIRD SOCIAL