University of Hawaii sand volleyball team falls to top-ranked UCLA in NCAA semifinal
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Hannah Zalopany from University of Hawaii jousts against a player from UCLA.
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Hannah Zalopany from University of Hawaii jousts against a player from UCLA.
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii players and fans cheer for their team playing against UCLA.
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Players are dazed after Hawaii lost to UCLA in the semi-finals
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Assistant coach Evan Silberstein seems dazed after Hawaii lost to UCLA in the semi-finals.
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Head coach Jeff Hall addresses media, after Hawaii lost to UCLA in the semi-finals.
The third-seeded Hawaii beach volleyball team saw its season ended today by top-ranked UCLA 3-2 in the NCAA championship semifinal at Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Rainbow Wahine (37-5) finished third for the second consecutive season. The deciding point came at Flight 5 where Morgan Martin and Lea Monkhouse fell to Sarah Sponcil and Lily Justine, 21-19, 23-25, 15-11
It was the third time in four meetings this season that the SandBows lost to the Bruins.
Hawaii opened the season with UCLA on Feb. 24, a surprising 5-0 sweep at the Ching Complex. The Bruins regrouped for a 3-2 victory the following day then defeated the SandBows 4-1 at their Sunset Canyon Recreation Center courts.
Hawaii picked up points at Flight 3 — Carly Kan and Laurel Weaver defeating Zana Muno and Savvy Simo, 21-19, 16-21, 15-12 — and Flight 4 — Amy Ozee and Ari Homayun over Elise Zappia and Mac May, 21-16, 21-16.
The Bruins (39-6) will face fourth-seeded Florida State (33-6) for the national title later today. The Seminoles defeated UCLA on Friday 3-1, ending the Bruins’ 31-match winning streak.
