Sept. 10, 2010
HONOLULU - The San Diego State volleyball team lost for just the second time in 2010 as it fell to sixth-ranked Hawai'i in three sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-13) Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. The contest concluded opening day action at the Verizon Wireless Volleyball Challenge being hosted by UH.
With the victory, the Rainbow Wahine improved to 6-1 on the season while the Aztecs saw their record drop to 5-2.
Hawai'i was in control fro much of the match and that fact was reflected in the final team statistics. The hosts hit .322 while holding SDSU to a 0.50 attack percentage. Those numbers represented the highest hitting percentage by an opponent and the lowest by the Aztecs through the first seven matches of the season.
San Diego State's offense was led by senior Lauren Salisbury's six kills with teammates Andrea Hannasch and Kyley Sexton contributing five apiece. Hannasch also finished with a team-high four blocks, a dig and a service ace while Sexton added three digs, one block and an ace.
Freshman setter Johnna Fouch was held to 22 assists over the three sets as SDSU totaled just 25 kills on the night compared top 40 for Hawai'i. Fouch also accounted for a kill and two digs from her spot in the front row.
Defensively libero Kristi Jackels led the Aztecs with 10 digs while defensive specialist Kyla Oropeza was credited with seven digs along with a service ace.
Hawai'i junior outside hitter Kananai Danielson led all players with 19 kills and a .561 hitting percentage while sophomore Brittany Hewitt was the match's top blocker with six.
San Diego State continues action at the Verizon Wireless Volleyball Challenge on Friday (Sept. 10) when it faces St. Mary's at 5:00 p.m. (HT). Earlier Thursday evening the Gales defeated UC Irvine, SDSU's Saturday opponent, in four sets.