Nothing about UC Riverside’s record is impressive. But it baffled the University of Hawaii for a set.
Nikki Taylor posted 15 kills as the Rainbow Wahine regrouped from a first-set loss Friday night to win 19-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
The Highlanders (2-26, 0-16 Big West) surprised UH (20-6, 12-3) in Game 1, breaking away from an 18-18 tie.
“Something was wrong,” coach Dave Shoji said on the OCSports broadcast. “They were (2-and-something). No matter what we tell each other, we just don’t take it seriously, I don’t think.
“We just weren’t’s sharp. “
Kalei Greeley recorded 12 kills and 10 digs and Tai Manu-Olevao added 11 kills and made only one error for Hawaii, which hit .296.
While Shoji would have liked to have seen better play out of his middle blockers, he likes the different look Taylor provides as an opposite hitter.
“She gives an option on the right,” he said. “We need that. We’ve been left side, left side, so much, she gives us a little backside.
“I think we’re pretty balanced now.”
Bri Holmes led Riverside with 18 kills.
Ranked 30th in the Ratings Percentage Index, Hawaii gets one last chance to impress the NCAA tournament selection committee when it hosts UC Davis at 8 p.m. Saturday on Senior Night.
“I think we get in regardless,” Shoji said. “I’d like to think we have to win. I want our team to think we have to win. We’re going to act like we have to win.”