Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo - Ka Leo UH junior Jamie Houston hits the ball past Colorado State's Tessa Nelson (11) and Ashley Fornstrom (2) earlier this season at the Stan Sheriff Center. Houston hit .419 with 16 kills against Nevada, moving up to ninth on the UH career kills list. [Click to enlarge]

In its 28th meeting Friday night, the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team snapped the University of Nevada Wolf Pack's three-match win streak in front of a crowd of 5,149 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine defeated the Wolf Pack in three straight games, 30-13, 30-25, 30-19.

"The one encouraging thing was Hittle's night because she was struggling offensively, and she had a great night," said UH head coach Dave Shoji. "If we can get something similar out of her, it would really help our offense. We probably passed our best match of the year."

Not only did junior captain Tara Hittle hit .706 with 13 kills, but she broke her previous career-high hitting percentage of .632 at New Mexico State on Sept. 22.

Junior outside hitter Jamie Houston also put up some impressive numbers. She hit .419 with 16 kills and is now ninth on the UH career kills list with 1,270, passing former Rainbow Wahine Diana Jessie, who had 1,266 kills in her career. The efforts of Hittle and Houston led the team to its ninth consecutive win of the season, taking the Rainbow Wahine to 6-0 in Western Athletic Conference play and 12-3 overall.

"I thought it was a pretty good match," Houston said. "Every time we come out mentally ready, we pass well and we play an awesome game."

Hawai‘i came out strong early against Nevada, taking a 5-1 lead. The Rainbow Wahine led by as many as eight points before the Wolf Pack were able to lay down a kill. The Wolf Pack's hitting percentage at the end of Game 1 was -.026.

"Our serving was very good in Game 1. They (Nevada) got off slow tonight, and I think that they really hurt their confidence," Shoji said.

Continued...

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