UH-Hilo volleyball home opener
Thursday
Who: Hawaii Pacific (2-4) at UH-Hilo (1-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. at UH-Hilo Gym
The skinny: The Vulcans’ home debut is also their Pacific West Conference opener. … UH-Hilo received consistent play from Marley Strand-Nicolaisen (4.0 kills per set), Morgan Lees (2.75) and Kyndra Trevino-Scott (2.0) during its three-match swing on Oahu on Sept. 6-7, but coach Tino Reyes targeted poor ball-handling for losses to Florida Tech and Chaminade. … Neither the Vulcans (.178) nor their opponents (.122) have hit for a high percentage so far this season. … The Sharks, formerly the Sea Warriors, already have been tested against a tough nonconference schedule. Picked to finish fifth by the PacWest coaches in the preseason, all four of HPU’s losses have come against Division II teams ranked in the top 16. … Sophomore outside hitter Pomai Recca leads HPU with 4.17 kills per set and is hitting at a .241 clip.
Saturday
Who: Chaminade at (7-3) at UH-Hilo (1-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. at UH-Hilo Gym
Skinny: The Vulcans host a Silverswords squad that handed them a four-set defeat on Sept. 6 in Honolulu. Cassie Rushlow smacked 14 kills in that match, and the sophomore has been Chaminade’s best attacker, averaging 3.39 kills per set. … The contest marks a homecoming for Hilo High graduate Waihilo Chartrand, a junior who transferred to Chaminade after playing two seasons at Eastern Arizona College. Listed as an outside hitter/defensive specialist/libero on her team’s roster, Chartrand has played in all 10 matches this season and started one, posting 16 aces, four kills and 26 assists. … Before heading to the Big Island, Chaminade must deal with four-time defending league champion BYU-Hawaii on Thursday in Laie, Oahu.
Stephens Media Hawaii