80
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
University of Hawai beach volleyball player Morgan Martin dives for the ball during the Rainbow Wahine’s loss today to fourth-seeded Florida State during the NCAA championship bracket semifinal in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Wahine will face the winner of Sunday’s first match between top-seeded UCLA and fifth-seeded USC in a loser-out match at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii time. The winner takes on the Seminoles for the national title at 8 a.m. Hawaii time.
WALLY NELL / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Gulf Shores, AL - NCAA women’s sand volleyball championship during the Rainbow Wahine’s loss today to fourth-seeded Florida State during the NCAA championship bracket semifinal in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Wahine will face the winner of Sunday’s first match between top-seeded UCLA and fifth-seeded USC in a loser-out match at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii time. The winner takes on the Seminoles for the national title at 8 a.m. Hawaii time.
The third-seeded Hawaii beach volleyball team saw its 32-match winning streak snapped today, losing to fourth-seeded Florida State 3-2 in the NCAA championship bracket semifinal at Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Rainbow Wahine (37-4) will face top-seeded UCLA (38-4) in Sunday’s loser-out match at 5:30 a.m. Hawaii time. The winner takes on the Seminoles (33-6) for the national title at 8 a.m. Hawaii time.
In today’s match, all flights went to three sets except Flight 4, which was won by Hawaii’s Amy Ozee-Ari Homayun 22-20, 21-16. FSU tied the match with a win at Flight 1, Hawaii regained the lead with a win at Flight 3 (Carly Kan-Laurel Weaver) with the Seminoles again tying with a win at Flight 2.
It came down to Flight 5 where UH’s Paige Dreeuws and Hannah Zalopany lost 24-22, 21-23, 15-12 giving the deciding point to FSU, extending the Noles’ win streak to 21.
On Friday, it was Dreeuws-Zalopany’s three-set victory that gave the SandBows the 3-2 upset of second-seeded Pepperdine.
The SandBows finished third nationally last season. Prior to today, Hawaii’s last loss came on March 10 to FSU 4-1 at Huntington Beach, Calif.
Earlier today, USC eliminated Pepperdine 3-2 and UCLA ousted LSU 3-0. The Bruins then eliminated the two-time defending champion Women of Troy 3-1.
Hawaii is 1-2 against UCLA this season, sweeping the Bruins 5-0 on opening day at the Ching Complex on Feb. 24. UCLA won a day later 3-2 and also claimed a 4-1 victory on March 8 in Westwood, Calif.
>> Related Video: Beach volleyball players, coaches reflect on sport’s growing popularity (Mobile app users, click here)
By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.
Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.