Hawaii had to come back in all three sets, but swept Ohio in the 2014 volleyball opener to start coach Dave Shoji’s 40th season Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A turnstile crowd of 5,588 saw the 17th-ranked Rainbow Wahine hold off a feisty Bobcats squad 25-22, 25-23, 25-20. Shoji, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball history, notched his 1,129th win, all at Hawaii.
Newcomer Olivia Magill led a balanced attack with 10 kills from the middle.
Kalei Adopho’s all-around effort led UH in the first set. The senior middle contributed four kills, three digs and three blocks as Hawaii overcame deficits of 9-5 and 15-11 after scoring the first three points of the match.
Tai Manu-Olevao and Magill notched five kills apiece as the Rainbow Wahine won the second set after falling behind 4-0.
Magill, Ginger Long, Manu-Olevau and Magill again launched kills as UH broke open a seesaw third set to go up 20-16.
Adolpho’s eighth kill closed out the match.
Hannah Burkle led Ohio with nine kills.
No. 25 Arizona State swept San Diego State 25-18, 25-21, 25-14 in an earlier match at the SSC.
Hawaii meets Arizona State on Saturday and then San Diego State on Sunday to conclude the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational.