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Junior All-American hitter Shih Ting “Stella” Chen put down 21 kills to lead Brigham Young-Hawaii to a five-set win today over West Texas A&M and into the NCAA II women’s national volleyball championship final in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Junior middle Erh Fang Hsu added 17 kills and junior libero Bry Tatupu-Leopoldo 24 of the team’s 90 digs in the 25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 21-25, 15-11 victory over the Lady Buffs at the U.S. Cellular Center.
BYU-Hawaii advances to Saturday’s championship against six-time defending champion Concordia-St. Paul (34-3), which swept Wheeling Jesuit 25-11, 25-16, 25-12 in today’s second semifinal. The Golden Bears ended the Seasiders’ season last year in the national semifinal.
West Texas A&M (25-4) was led by Lauren Bevan’s 23 kills.
It was the third straight five-set match for the Seasiders, who have won their last 22.
BYU-Hawaii trailed 11-9 in Set 5 but scored the last six points, five behind the serving of defensive specialist Kathleen Collette. Collette finished with 17 digs.
Junior setter Ying Chun “Michelle” Chen added a double-double for the Seasiders (58 assists, 15 digs).
