By MATT GERHART Tribune-Herald sports writer ADVERTISING When the University of Hawaii at Hilo announced their most celebrated senior during postgame introductions Thursday night, Hillary Hurley picked up coach David Kaneshiro in her arms and carried him for a second.
By MATT GERHART
Tribune-Herald sports writer
When the University of Hawaii at Hilo announced their most celebrated senior during postgame introductions Thursday night, Hillary Hurley picked up coach David Kaneshiro in her arms and carried him for a second.
Fittingly on Senior Night, the two-sport star had just done all she could to carry the Vulcans one last time at home.
Hawaii Pacific’s Mana Hopkins-Vandenakker — who marked the occasion as her final Big Island homecoming — made sure Hurley’s heroics weren’t quite enough.
Hopkins-Vandenakker scored 20 points with 11 rebounds and keyed a second-half surge, and the Sea Warriors held off the Lady Vulcans’ furious rally for a 67-64 victory at UHH Gym.
“The clock is clicking (on my career), it’s just good to get out with a victory,” said Hopkins-Vandenakker, a Konawaena High graduate who will close out her career Saturday. “Just glad we can move up in the standings and finish strong.”
She got the hot hand in the second half as HPU (17-10, 11-6 Pacific West Conference) built its lead to as big as 18 en route to winning its sixth straight game.
However, UHH didn’t go down without a fight. After Hopkins-Vandenakker missed two free throws that would have sealed the game with two second left, UHH junior guard Jameia McDuffie got a decent look at a game-tying shot, but her 3-pointer fell short.
The Vulcans (13-12, 10-7) saw a five-game winning streak end despite another huge effort from Hurley. The 6-foot 2 power forward posted game highs of 26 points and 19 rebounds, going 9 of 17 from the field.
“I know I should be sad and disappointed right now, but I’m actually really happy about how everything worked out here,” she said.
Perhaps happiest of all was HPU coach Reid Takatsuka, who appreciates Hurley’s big presence on the court and soft nature off of it.
“It was a perfect ending for me,” he said. “Hillary’s such a nice person and played well, but we won. It’s tough to see a good person and player leave our league.
“But I won’t miss having to coach against her.”
The Vulcans also bid aloha to seniors Sheena Pio (two points), Hotia Vaaimamao and Dayna Jandoc.
Hopkins-Vandenakker, a 5-10 forward who also shot 9 of 17 from the field, credited her team’s defense for helping the Sea Warriors take control after they trailed by one at halftime. UHH shot just 9 of 31 in the second half, relying solely on the inside play of Hurley for its offense during some stretches.
With HPU getting out in transition, Hopkins-Vandenakker scored 12 points during an 11-minute stretch of the second half, including a jumper that gave HPU a 61-43 lead with 5:43 left.
McDuffie (15 points) and Kirsten Shimizu (nine) each hit two 3-pointers to spur the Vulcans, but the rally fell short.
Hurley can still finish her career on a winning note when the Vulcans finish their season Saturday at Chaminade.
“I’ll definitely miss Hillary,” Kaneshiro said. “I’ll miss all the seniors.”
When Hurley addressed the crowd Thursday, she thanked Kaneshiro and volleyball coach Tino Reyes for the opportunity to juggle both sports, and the Californian praised the people of Hilo for always making her feel just at home.
As for the possibility of her playing a spring sport before her eligibility expires?
Not a chance.
“I’m done,” she said. “My body has had it.”
UHH men 81, Hawaii Pacific 73: Junior Terrell Mack scored 25 points as UHH ended a four-game losing streak.
Senior Dirk Snel added 12 points in his final home contest, while senior Zach Wilde and junior Paul Batausa added 10 points each for the Vulcans (9-16, 3-14).
UHH also said aloha to seniors Joshua Figueroa (six points), Vince Sanekane and Nick Kanno.
