BYUH rallies to beat HPU in 5 games

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Sixth-ranked Brigham Young-Hawai'i outlasted Hawai'i Pacific in a volleyball slugfest, 30-27, 25-30, 17-30, 30-23, 15-13, last night at St. Andrew's Priory gym.

A sold-out crowd of 500 watched the Seasiders improve to 22-2 overall and 9-1 in the Pacific West Conference. The Sea Warriors dropped to 14-9 and 6-4.

BYUH's win crushed the playoff hopes for the Sea Warriors, who were hoping for an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II Pacific Regionals on Nov. 21-23.

"It was dogfight," HPU coach Tita Ahuna said. "It came down to who wanted it the most. We wish BYUH the best of luck in the playoffs."

Yu Chuan Weng led the Seasiders with a match-high 24 kills, while senior Susy Garbelotti, who played in her final match, paced the Sea Warriors with 22.

In Game 5, BYUH rallied from a 13-12 deficit by scoring three consecutive points. BYUH's Weng pounded a kill and Chun Yi Lin blocked Sandra Brunke. Brunke then hit wide to end the match.

"HPU came out to play," BYUH coach Wilfred Navalta said. "Our ladies really focused after Game 3."