Score: UC Davis 3, Hawai'i 1
Set Scores: (25-21, 22-25, 28-26, 25-20)
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 15-5 (11-1), Hawai'i 8-14 (4-7)
The short story: For the first time in program history, UC Davis volleyball has swept their regular-season series against Hawai'i in a four-set victory on Thursday, Oct. 30.
FIRST SERVE
- For the first time in over 12 years, the Aggies have beaten the Rainbow Wahine in Davis. The last victory came in five sets back on October 26, 2013.
- Jade Light led the offense once again with 19 kills, extending her double-digit kills streak to 20 straight games.
- Mia Starr orchestrated her team with 46 assists, just the sixth time this season she's compiled 45+ assists in a match.
- Ximena Cordero Barr protected the backline with 21 digs, digging out 20+ balls for the fifth time this year.
- The Aggies unblocked the Rainbow Wahine all night, putting in 23 total blocks compared to Hawai'i's 18 total blocks.
- The front line was led by Allie Caldwell with six total blocks and Ally Chandler with five total blocks.
- The top-ranked Big West defense showed through for UC Davis once again tonight, holding Hawai'i to a .148 hitting percentage all night.
WHAT HEAD COACH DAN CONNERS HAD TO SAY
"We had to find a dig deep attitude and figure out how to grind out a win. Hawai'i played great volleyball, and they made us really work for it. I thought we got more disciplined as the night went on, which was cool to see, and I really appreciated our effort and energy tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams came out of the gate scoring, each exchanging points. Offense from Breeze Czapinski led the way to a slim 9-8 lead for her team.
- After a 5-0 run from Hawai'i put them in front, the Aggies looked to respond. A kill from Brooke Hibino tied the set at 16, and a service ace from Light put them back in the lead.
- As both teams entered the red zone, Davis took control of the set with a kill from Czapinski before a block from her, and Chandler iced set one 25-21 in favor of the Aggies.
- The Rainbow Wahine responded quickly in set two, outblocking the Aggies to take a 15-8 lead at the halfway point of the set.
- Down 16-22, Davis began to gain momentum with a service ace from Rachel Dunagan sparking a 4-0 run.
- Despite this, Hawai'i would hold their lead to take the second 25-22 and tie the match at one apiece.
- Set three saw the script flip for both clubs, with UC Davis taking the early lead 10-5 off of aces from Chandler and Haden Bones.
- But the Rainbow Wahine got the response with a 6-1 run to tie things at 11 apiece.
- From there, both teams went back and forth, exchanging points and runs before a 25-25 tie forced the set into extras.
- After a kill from Hibino put the team up 27-26, an error from Hawai'i gave Davis the 28-26 win and a 2-1 lead.
- Set four started similarly to the first, with both teams exchanging rallies as Hawai'i took an early 13-12 lead.
- A 9-1 scoring run sparked by a Hibino kill put the home team in the driver's seat, going up 21-14.
- The Rainbow Wahine used their defense to get back within four, but the 19th kill of the night from Light capped off a 25-20 win for the Aggies.
UP NEXT: The Aggies begin a two-week road trip starting with a rematch against UC Irvine on Friday, Nov. 7. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. PT and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
