Box Score | Box Score (html)

HONOLULU – Emily Hartong buried a season-high 20 kills, but it wasn't enough as the No. 9 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team fell in four sets (28-30, 25-16, 25-17, 25-21) to No. 3 UCLA on Sunday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in the title match of the Verizon Volleyball Challenge.
 
Tabi Love drilled a match-high 26 kills for UCLA (6-1) en route to earning tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Rachael Kidder had 16 kills and Kelly Reeves added 13 digs.
 
Jane Croson poured in 14 kills for the 'Bows, who close the preseason at 7-2. Ali Longo had 19 digs and Monica Stauber added 16 assists and five digs.
 
The 'Bows came out lock, stock and barrel and opened up a 7-1 lead to start the match. The advantage swelled to 14-6 on a kill and block by Kalei Adolpho (7 kills, 4 blks). UCLA weathered the storm and cut an eight-point lead down to one, and later tied the score at 19-19 on a Croson attack error. The two teams traded points in the waning moments of the set, as service errors were abundant for both teams. It were the 'Bows, though, that finally prevailed with the 30-28 win.
 
Set two was a different story as the Bruins got off to a fast start and never looked back. Love caught fire and, after drilling her 12^th kill of the match, UCLA led 14-5. Karsta Lowe (9 kills) buried a kill to close the door and even the match. UCLA sustained the momentum through the rest of the contest as the Bruins' size and strength proved to be too much for the 'Bows.
 
Hartong and Croson were both named to the all-tournament team.
 
Before Big West Conference play begins, the 'Bows will host their annual alumnae match on Friday, Sept. 14. The Rainbow Wahine Green and White will play each other at 5:00 p.m. followed by UH vs. Alumnae at 7:00 p.m.

All-Tournament Team





                                                                                                    -UH-