Rainbow Wahine beat clock, La. Tech

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team beat the clock — and Louisiana Tech — in its latest version of Western Athletic Conference domination last night.

Kim Willoughby served five aces during a sweep of Louisiana Tech. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

A crowd of 7,567 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Hawai'i improve to 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the WAC. It was UH's 54th consecutive victory over a WAC opponent.

In contrast, Louisiana Tech fell to 12-8 overall and 0-2 in the WAC. The Lady Techsters are still in search of their maiden victory in the WAC. Last night represented their 15th consecutive loss in conference since joining the WAC last season.

"Our goal was to be done by 8:40 (p.m.), and we did it at 8:33," said Hawai'i outside hitter Lily Kahumoku of the match that started shortly after 7 p.m.

It has come to that for the Rainbows and their WAC opposition.

Last night, UH head coach Dave Shoji admitted that his general game plan was "pretty much let the talent take over."

And so they did.

With the two most talented players — juniors Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby — leading the way, Hawai'i was never really challenged by the Lady Techsters, except for a brief stretch at the start of the second game.

Kahumoku pounded a match-high 15 kills while hitting for a .467 percentage. Willoughby added nine kills with a .421 percentage, and five service aces.

"They're awesome," Louisiana Tech outside hitter Cristine Sant'Anna said.

Willoughby did not reach double-digit kills for the first time this season, but only because Shoji rested her in the third game.

Willoughby was listed as questionable prior to last night's match because of muscle spasms in her lower back, but she said "it was so blown out of proportion, it was ridiculous."

"It's going to take more than back spasms to stop me," she added.

She proved that in the first game, when her lethal jump-serve produced five aces. The first game ended with three consecutive Willoughby aces.

"When you have to serve against Melissa (Villaroman) and Hedder (Ilustre) every day in practice, it can only help your serves get better," Willoughby said.

Willoughby also contributed four kills in the opening game, and Kahumoku put down seven kills in eight attempts as UH hit for a .467 team percentage.

The only hint of a threat from the Lady Techsters came in the second game, when they forged a 6-5 lead. Moments later, Kahumoku served for seven consecutive points to put Hawai'i back in control at 18-10.

"We could've done some things better," said Louisiana Tech head coach Heather Mazeitis. "We are an emotional team and we use our emotions to our advantage. Tonight we didn't."

Shoji added of Louisiana Tech: "I thought they were a little tentative. I don't think they played as well as they can play."

That was evident even in the third game, when UH blitzed the Lady Techsters even with Willoughby on the bench. Melody Eckmier, who replaced Willoughby, recorded two kills and two service aces in the third game.

"Last year compared to this year, (there's) a big difference in their play both offensively and defensively," Mazeitis said of Hawai'i.

It was also the first-ever trip to Hawai'i for the Louisiana Tech women's volleyball team, and everything appeared to be memorable except for the volleyball part.

"We went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, we made sure to have fun," Mazeitis said.

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