HILO, HAWAII --- Biola volleyball fell to Hawaii Hilo in straight sets (20-25, 22-25, 18-25) on Tuesday night at Vulcan Gymnasium, dropping the Eagles to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in PacWest play.
Hawaii Hilo took control early in the opening set, breaking a 3-3 tie and maintaining its lead throughout the frame. The Eagles pulled within two on several occasions, but a 7-2 Vulcan run extended the deficit to 22-15. Biola continued to battle, scoring five of the next seven points behind a pair of blocks to cut the lead to 24-20 before Hilo secured the 25-20 set victory.
The second set proved to be the closest of the night, featuring 10 ties and six lead changes. Biola built a 16-12 advantage behind a serving stretch from
Ashlyn Beebe that included kills from
Alex Strating and
Haylee LaFontaine. The Vulcans responded, tying the set at 18 before taking the lead late. Biola stayed within striking distance, with a Strating kill cutting the deficit to 23-22, but Hilo claimed the final two points to take the set, 25-22.
The Vulcans carried their momentum into the third set, building a 22-13 advantage. Biola put together one final push, scoring four consecutive points behind Strating's serve, including an ace, to close the gap to 22-17. Hilo responded and closed out the match with a 25-18 win.
LaFontaine led the Eagles offensively with nine kills, while
Payton Tully and Strating each added eight. Tully finished with a team-best .333 hitting percentage, while Strating contributed four block assists and a service ace.
Savannah Simpson chipped in six kills and three block assists.
Lexi Lambert recorded 20 assists and nine digs, while Emily Page added 10 assists.
Caprice Cooper anchored the Eagles defensively with a team-high 11 digs.
The Eagles will face Chaminade on Thursday, October 8th at 9 p.m. PT
