‘Bows win volleyball opener
Sophomore hitter Austin Matautia came off the bench for 12 kills in two sets and No. 5 Hawaii opened the season with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-9 sweep of Stevens Institute of Technology in tonight’s second match of the inaugural Texaco Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Sophomore opposite Rado Parapunov added nine kills in playing the first two sets for the Rainbow Warriors (1-0), who won their 23rd straight at home. Hawaii will face Juniata in Friday’s second match. The Eagles (0-1) were swept by No. 12 USC 25-19, 25-9, 25-21 in tonight’s first match, which lasted 71 minutes.
The Trojans (2-0) will meet the Ducks (0-1) at 4 p.m. Friday. Sophomore opposite David Lehman led Stevens with 16 kills, 14 coming in the first two sets.
Fourteen of the 17 Warriors who suited up played in tonight’s 88-minute contest watched by 1,526. It was the fifth consecutive season that Hawaii opened the year with a victory.
Stevens is ranked No. 2 in Division III and Juniata No. 6.