Hawaii University's postseason run comes to end with defeat by USC - Volleyball
The 2011 NCAA tournament showcased regional semi-final games on Friday, December 9 as a total of eight matches were played, which promoted the top four teams of the tournament into the next round of the tournament. The lucky winners of the regional semi-finals
included the Southern California women’s team, which defeated Hawaii University in a five set thriller. The Trojans of USC posted 3-2 (19-25, 29-27, 19-25, 25-23, 15-12) victory over Hawaii and put an end to their season.
The Rainbow Wahine (Hawaii) received the second defeat of the season and ended up with 31-2 record. On the other hand, USC improved to 28-4 and is still looking to add more wins to their tally.
Hawaii was led by the tandem of Jane Croson and Kanani Danielson who carried the 'Bows throughout the match. The duo supported Hawaii with double-doubles. Croson accumulated 25 kills and 23 digs, while Danielson
registered 21 kills and 23 digs. Nevertheless, it proved to be failing effort as Hawaii ‘as a team’ lost the fight. Brittany Hewitt displayed good defence effort and recorded a match-high 11 blocks. Alex Jupiter of Trojans stole the show
with match-high 33 kills and led her team to success.
The hosts Hawaii made a good start in the match as they added quick points and picked up a lead of 7-3. The passionate fans encouraged the Bows to further stretch the lead to 13-6. The Trojans tried to catch up with their opponents but faced strong resistance.
The Bows kept the lead in their hand and sealed first-set win, 25-19.
In the following set, USC used strong offensive attack from Alexis Olgard and Fuller. They added quick points but Hawaii responded in the same tone and counter-attacked with Croson and Satele. The exchange of long rallies and back-to-back attacks added a
great thriller in the match. There was no telling about the potential winner of second until USC hit the spot with 29-27 and tied game score at 1-1.
The Bows did not fall to the pressure of the situation and struggled to regain control of operation in the third set. Undaunted, UH returned from the break and held off USC for 25-19 victory in third set. Satele served as the top weapon for Hawaii in third
set.
USC was bound to respond in fourth set, in order to save the match. They played in great style and pulled up fourth-set win with two-points 25-23.
The decisive fifth set saw USC take an early lead and hold on to the victory. The 'Bows lagged behind by as many as four points before storming back to cut the lead to 13-12, but Trojans denied all the efforts of Bows. The visiting USC closed final set with
at 15-12 and announced match victory.
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