Score: UC Davis 3, Hawai'i 1
Set Scores: (25-23, 23-25, 25-12, 25-13)
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center)
Records: UC Davis 6-4 (2-0), Hawai'i 5-8 (1-1)
The short story: A career-high 15 kills from
Brooke Hibino gave UC Davis volleyball a four set victory over the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Aggies begin conference play 2-0 for the first time since 2023.
FIRST SERVE
- For the second straight year, and just the second time in program history, Aggie volleyball has secured a win on Hawai'i's home court.
- Hibino's 15 kills marks the third time this season that the junior hitter has secured double-digit kills.
- Jade Light backed her up with 12 kills on the night. She also had two service aces to lead the Aggies.
- The defense for Davis led the way once again with eight total blocks (two solo, 12 assists) for the match. This effort led the Aggies to hold Hawai'i to a .047 hitting percentage, including a negative hitting percentage in the third and fourth sets.
- Defensively, the team was led with four total blocks from Ally Chandler.
- In her first collegiate action, Faith Rabb-Patterson stepped up with three total blocks of her own, all coming in the third and fourth sets.
WHAT HEAD COACH DAN CONNERS HAD TO SAY
"After an inconsistent start, we turned it on in the 3rd set. Faith Rabb-Patterson came in and gave us a big boost with her block and competitive energy. Very proud of the work she has put in to give herself an opportunity to make an impact. Brooke had a great night leading the team in kills with 15. We turned up our service intensity in the 3rd set and that also helped things fall into place for us. Great win for the Aggies!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Going for blows to start the first set, both teams took advantage of 3-0 runs to keep things tight, with the Aggies leading 10-8 early.
- Tied at 18 a few points later, kills from Hibino and Allie Caldwell pulled the Aggies ahead by two for the first time.
- Down the stretch, with Hawai'i threatening to steal the frame at 23 apiece, a kill from Light and an error from their opponent gave Davis the first 25-23.
- A 6-2 lead from the Rainbow Wahine started the second set, with Hibino continuing to produce for her team.
- Battling through runs from their opponent, the Aggies took their first lead of the frame 18-17 from yet another point for Light.
- With Davis up 23-22, they looked to snatch another close one.
- But Hawai'i flipped the script, instead taking the last three points of the second to win 25-23 and tie the match 1-1.
- Tied at 2 to start the third, Rabb-Patterson's first block along with Caldwell sparked a 6-0 run for the Aggies.
- Kills from the likes of Hibino and Light paced Davis, who rode their offensive explosion to go up by as much as 13, allowing them to cruise to a 25-12 set three victory and a 2-1 lead.
- Set four started similarly to the third, with back-to-back kills from Chandler leading an early 12-4 lead for the Ags.
- Six kills from Hibino led the way for the offense once again, pushing Davis to a double-digt lead at the halfway point of the set, 15-5.
- A service ace from Light capped things off for her team, securing a 25-13 win in the fourth and Davis' sixth win of the season.
UP NEXT: After ten straight contests away from home, the team will finally open the University Credit Union Center on Thursday, Oct. 2 when they take on Cal State Fullerton. First serve will be at 6:00 p.m. PT and is live to stream on ESPN+.
