Freshman hitter Nikki Taylor had a career-high 20 kills and senior libero Ali Longo set a school rally score record with 21 consecutive serves as No 6 Hawaii  opened defense of its Big West volleyball title with a 25-22, 25-5, 25-20 victory over Cal State Fullerton tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Longo served 21 straight times with her 20-0 scoring run propelling the Rainbow Wahine (12-1, 1-0 Big West) to a 23-2 lead in Set 2. Taylor hit .800 during the set, with eight kills and no errors in 10 swings.

It was the first time this season that senior All-American hitter Emily Hartong didn’t reach double-digit kills. She finished with six with 11 digs as Hawaii won its 10th straight, taking just 90 minutes to do so. 

Sophomore hitter Tai Manu-Olevao added 10 kills and Longo finished with 18 of the Wahine’s 54 digs. Hawaii out-blocked Titans  8-5, with junior middle Kalei Adolpho and Manu-Olevao in on six. 

A crowd of 5,956 (7,390 tickets) saw the Wahine run their record to 30-0 against CSU Fullerton as well as establish a program record for fewest points allowed in a single set in the rally score era.

The Titans (7-6, 0-1) got six kills each from senior middle Leah Best, senior hitter Alyse Hensley and senior hitter Bre Moreland.

Hawaii next hosts UC Riverside Sunday at 5 p.m.