With the help of some new contributors, opening night went off without a hitch for the University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team.
Junior middle blocker Olivia Magill put down 10 kills and senior libero Sarah Mendoza tallied a career-high 24 digs Friday night, fueling the the No. 17 Rainbow Wahine past Ohio 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
Tai Manu-Olevao, a junior outside hitter, added nine kills on .304 hitting as coach Dave Shoji began his 40th season on the bench.
Manu-Olevao and Kalei Adolpho (eight kills, six digs, four blocks) were the only two returning starters in the lineup. A third, All-American Nikki Taylor, is out with an elbow injury.
UH faces No. 25 Arizona State — which beat San Diego State 25-18, 25-21, 25-14 in the opening match at the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational — on Saturday night.
Magill, a transfer from Arizona, fueled a 5-0 run in the third set that helped UH secure the sweep.
Junior outside hitter Olivia Long notched a career-high eight kills.
Hawaii held the Bobcats to .108 hitting.
Stephens Media Hawaii sources