Baylor ends Rainbow Wahine volleyball’s season
EUGENE, Ore. >> For a second straight year, Hawaii’s season came to a cold end in five sets in the Pacific Northwest. And for the second consecutive year, it came in the first round of the NCAA volleyball tournament.
Junior setter-hitter Norene Iosia had her fifth triple-double of the season, but it was not enough as Baylor rallied past the Rainbow Wahine 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 26-24, 16-14 tonight at Matthew Knight Arena on the University of Oregon campus. Iosia had 11 kills, 14 assists and 15 digs for Hawaii, which fell to 3-4 in five-set matches.
Hawaii (18-9) got a career-high 34 digs from senior libero Tita Akiu. Senior setter Faith Ma’afala ended her career with a double-double (26 assists, 11 digs) and senior hitter McKenna Granato hers as well with 11 kills and 10 digs.
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Junior middle blocker Shelly Fanning led Baylor (20-8) with 18 kills and sophomore Yossiana Pressley added 17. The Bears improved to 5-2 in five-setters, winning their last five.
Baylor will take on the winner of tonight’s second match between Oregon and New Mexico State.