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DARRELL MIHO / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii's Tayler Higgins dumps the ball behind the Long Beach State defense during Saturday's match in Long Beach
Senior opposite Bre Mackie put down 20 kills as Long Beach State turned back No. 21 Hawaii 25-15, 22-25, 26-24, 21-25, 15-11 in a Big West volleyball match Saturday night at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.
Senior middle Chisom Okpala added 13 kills as the 49ers (14-4, 4-0) defeated the Rainbow Wahine (12-5, 4-2) for the first time since 2000, ending a seven-match skid.
Junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao led Hawaii with 16 kills and six aces, and freshman hitter Kalei Greeley added 10 kills. The Rainbow Wahine played most of the match without junior middle Olivia Magill, who suffered a leg injury early in Set 2. Freshman middle Emily Maglio came off the bench to finish with five kills and was in on four blocks.
It was the first time Hawaii had lost consecutive matches this season. The Rainbow Wahine saw their seven-match winning streak ended Friday when being swept at Cal State Northridge.
Hawaii had won 21 consecutive sets prior to Friday’s loss. The Wahine lost four straight with the three at CSUN and then Saturday’s Set 1.
Senior libero Sarah Mendoza had a match-high 23 digs to lead five Hawaii players in double digits. Both Greeley and Manu-Olevao finished with double-doubles with 14 and 13 digs, respectively.
