Hawaii women’s volleyball heads to sweet 16 after sweeping San Diego
BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii middle blocker hitter Amber Igiede and setter Norene Iosia celebrated a point with outside hitter Hanna Hellvig in the first set.
Hawaii’s run to the sweet 16 of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament went a bit easier than expected.
Seeded in the only subregional with three ranked teams, Hawaii made short work of San Diego tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center, winning 25-23, 25-21, 25-21.
The Rainbow Wahine (26-3), who have won 13 in a row, advance to play fifth-seeded Nebraska (27-4). The Huskers, second nationally last season, eliminated Missouri earlier Saturday, 3-1.
For the first time in four years, #HawaiiWVB is moving on to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. Hawaii sweeps USD 25-23, 25-21, 25-21. pic.twitter.com/hvTDMPTMrA
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) December 8, 2019
Hanna Hellvig finished with a game-high 12 kills and McKenna Ross added 10. Libero Rika Okino had a match-high 20 digs and Big West Player of the Year Norene Iosia posted a double-double with 24 assists and 12 digs.
>> Click here for photos of the Hawaii-San Diego match
Middle Amber Igiede put down six kills without an error to help the Rainbow Wahine take Set 1. The Toreros cut the lead to 24-23 with three straight points, forcing coach Robyn Ah Mow to call timeout. Hellvig then finished out the set with her fifth kill to give UH a 1-0 lead in the match.
One set away from the Sweet 16.
Wahine up 25-23, 25-22. #HawaiiWVB pic.twitter.com/jLpqDXtLTZ
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) December 8, 2019
USD cut the Hawaii lead to 23-21 in Set 2 but was done in by a net violation, a hitting error and Okino, who had 11 of her 20 digs in the set.
Jolie Rasmussen made her first appearance of the game with UH down 7-6 in Set 3 and had four kills in five swings to help UH finish off the win 25-21.
Hawaii’s region was one of two that didn’t have a seeded host upset. On Saturday, Utah swept 14th-seeded BYU and Cincinnati stunned sixth-seeded Pittsburgh in five; the Panthers are hosts of the final four Dec. 19 and 21.
SET 1 goes to #HawaiiWVB as Hanna Hellvig puts down the kill. 25-23. Amber Igiede 6 kills in 6 swings. pic.twitter.com/dPjGHJDvha
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) December 8, 2019
