Posted on: Sunday, September 5, 2004

ISLE FILE
Irons ousted, but Kaua'i surfer still leads rankings

Advertiser Staff

Andy Irons was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Quiksilver Pro Japan yesterday, but thanks to fellow Hawai'i surfer Kalani Robb maintained his lead in the world rankings.

Irons, who scored a perfect 10 the day before, never got started in 3-foot surf at Hebara Beach at Chiba, Japan. His top-scoring wave yesterday was 3.50 as the two-time world champion from Kaua'i lost to Joel Parkinson of Australia, 15.17-6.33.

In the next heat of the day, Robb ousted Florida's Kelly Slater, Irons' closest competitor in the world rankings. Needing a 7.49 score to overtake Slater, Robb caught a wave with 11 seconds left in the 30-minute heat that scored a 7.57 and gave him a 14.34-14.26 win.

Florida's CJ Hobgood then beat Robb in the semifinals, 14.00-12.77.

Hobgood capped the day by defeating Australia's Joel Parkinson with a closing flurry in the final, 17.70-16.33. Hobgood scored an 8.23 with less than three minutes remaining in the heat, then clinched it as time expired with a 9.47.

Hobgood moved ahead of Slater into second place in the world rankings.

VOLLEYBALL

BYU-Hawai'i sweeps past St. Martin's

Yu Chuan Weng had 19 kills and 14 digs as No. 18 Brigham Young-Hawai'i swept St. Martin's, 30-29, 30-19, 30-14, last night at Cannon Activities Center in La'ie.

Lilly Tufuga and Beth Robertson each added nine kills for the Seasiders (6-2).

Earlier in the day, Weng had 16 kills to lead BYUH to a 30-23, 30-20, 30-19 victory over St. Martin's.

Tufuga added 14 kills and Lesina Funaki had 44 assists and 10 digs for the Seasiders.

Lauren Kreiger led St. Martin's with 10 kills.

In other matches involving Hawai'i volleyball teams:

• Patti Hardimon had 14 kills and Kahala Kabalis 13 as Chaminade beat Cal Poly Pomona, 30-26, 30-27, 30-24, last night in the final match of the Cal Poly Pomona Invitational at Pomona, Calif.

Kalae Araujo, who was named to the all-tournament team, had 20 digs for the Silverswords (5-2 overall, 3-1 in the tournament).

Earlier in the day, Kabalis had 19 kills and 16 digs as Chaminade beat Indianapolis, 30-24, 31-29, 27-30, 30-18.

Valasi Sepulona added 17 kills and 20 digs, and Marijana Stanic had 17 kills and 12 digs for the Silverswords.

• Erin Gudnundson had 22 kills as Nebraska-Kearney defeated Hawai'i Pacific, 30-26, 25-30, 27-30, 30-25, 15-10, at St. Andrew's Priory gym.

Flavia Brakling had 25 kills and Barbara Martin 18 for the Sea Warriors.

• Mandy Veley had 29 kills as Western Oregon beat Hawai'i-Hilo, 30-28, 20-30, 30-22, 24-30, 15-13, in the Rodeo City Invitational at Ellensburg, Wash.

Christina Cooley had 17 kills, 17 digs and three blocks for Hilo, which fell to 3-6 overall and 0-5 in the tournament.

Earlier in the day, LeAnne McGahuey had 24 kills as Central Washington beat the Vulcans, 30-26, 19-30, 30-23, 30-19. Cooley led Hilo with 14 kills.

GOLF

Hawai'i's McLachlin loses in playoff

Jason Gore, of Valencia, Calif., defeated Hawai'i's Parker McLachlin in a playoff to capture the California State Open championship yesterday at Murrieta, Calif.

Gore, who shot a final-round 2-under 70 to tie McLachlin (69) at 12-under 276, birdied the second playoff hole to take home the $22,000 check. McLachlin won $14,000.