Spring came in with wind and a win.
No. 5 Hawaii ended a long playing week at home with a 4-1 victory over No. 15 Nebraska on a brisk Sunday night at the Ching Complex courts. The Rainbow Wahine (4-5) clinched the televised match at No. 2 when Emily Maglio and Katie Spieler swept Amber Rolfzen and Justine Wong-Orantes, 21-15, 21-17.
Maglio, one of two Wahine who also played in Friday’s indoor exhibition win over Iowa State, finished with 22 kills and two blocks. Spieler added 13 kills and 15 digs for the pair in their third straight win; the duo also won both contests Saturday against Loyola Marymount and defending national champion USC.
“We’ll take a win any time and especially when it’s against a great opponent,” Hawaii coach Jeff Hall said after the team’s third match in two days and fourth in six. “Nebraska is a big name and this was a big win.”
The SandBows capped their homestead with a dramatic win at No. 1 when Lara Schreiber and Nikki Taylor — the other crossover from Friday’s indoor match — rallied past Kelly Hunter/Kadie Rolfzen, 9-21, 21-18, 15-13. Taylor broke the eighth tie of the set with a one-handed block of Rolfzen, then closed it out with an ace.
The Huskers dropped to 2-3.
Hawaii leaves tonight to compete in the Stetson Spring Break Tournament in Deland, Fla. The Wahine will play Tulane Thursday, No. 9 Stetson and Florida Atlantic Friday, and No. 2 Florida State and No. 10 Florida International Saturday.
“It has been a long week but a good one,” Spieler said. “Defense was key for us and Emily Maglio continues to a momentum-changer.
“We’re looking forward to going out and playing on the road, and riding out more wins.”
Hawaii picked up a big one at No. 3 when Hannah Rooks and Ka’iwi Schucht turned back Annika Albrecht-Oliva Boender, 21-15, 17-21, 15-12. The Wahine were poised for the sweep when leading 17-15 in Set 2 only to have the Huskers go on a 6-0 closing run behind the serves of Albrecht that included two aces.
At 8-7 in Set 3, the 6-foot Rooks tapped down a kill and won a joust with the 6-foot Albrecht to gain separation at 10-7. Nebraska wouldn’t go away, pulling to within one three times, the last at 12-11.
Hawaii used a Nebraska hitting error and a kill by Schucht to earn match point at 14-11. One sideout later, Rooks ended it.
RESULTS
Sunday
1. Lara Schreiber-Nikki Taylor (UH) def. Kelly Hunter/Kadie Rolfzen (NU), 9-21, 21-18, 15-13
2. Emily Maglio-Katie Spieler (UH) def. Amber Rolfzen/Justine Wong-Orantes (NU), 21-15, 21-17
3. Hannah Rooks-Ka’iwi Schucht (UH) def. Annika Albrecht-Olivia Boender (NU), 21-15, 17-21, 15-12
4. Briana Holman-Kenzie Maloney (NU) def. Ginger Long-Mikayla Tucker (UH), 21-12, 23-21
5. Ari Homayun-Hannah Zalopany (UH) Mikaela Foecke-Sydney Townsend (NU), 21-10, 21-10
Saturday
No. 3 USC 3, No. 5 Hawaii 2
1. Kelly Claes/Sara Hughes (USC) def. Lara Schreiber-Nikki Taylor (UH), 21-11, 21-19
2. Emily Maglio-Katie Spieler (UH) def. Sophie Bukovec/Alexa Strange (USC); 21-16, 20-22, 15-9
3. Nicolette Martin/Allie Wheeler (USC) def. Hannah Rooks-Ka’iwi Schucht (UH); 21-17, 21-15
4. Jenna Belton/Abril Bustamante (USC) def. Ginger Long-Mikayla Tucker (UH), 21-16, 21-17
5. Ari Homayun-Hannah Zalopany (UH) def. Jo Kremer/Zoe Nightingale (USC); 22-20, 19-21, 15-11
