It probably wouldn’t be accurate to say the season had been sublime. ADVERTISING It probably wouldn’t be accurate to say the season had been sublime. But it’s fair to say matters have turned to the ridiculous for UH-Hilo’s volleyball team.
It probably wouldn’t be accurate to say the season had been sublime.
But it’s fair to say matters have turned to the ridiculous for UH-Hilo’s volleyball team.
Instead of missing three prime-time players Saturday at home against Chaminade, the Vulcans were missing four, and the results were predictable, a third consecutive loss.
In a school release, coach Gene Krieger likened the experience to putting together a jigsaw puzzle – from scratch.
“I can’t remember ever having four starters out in all my years of coaching,” said Krieger, who has been in the business for nearly 40 years. “We played players tonight that haven’t seen much court time all year, and in some cases hadn’t played back row all season.”
Libero Mina Grant, second in the Pacific West Conference in digs, joined what Krieger called the “Band-Aid brigade,” sitting out for the first time this season with an undisclosed ailment.
She had plenty of company on the bench.
Leading hitter Siera Green and setter Sha Rae Niu were sidelined for the second night in a row, and outside hitter Lucee Fitzgerald missed her sixth consecutive match with an injury to her leg.
“I am glad we have a week to try and get healthier and get some of these people back, hopefully, ” Krieger said.
The Vulcans (5-7 PacWest, 5-7) host Notre Dame de Namur on Friday and Concordia on Saturday.
The lack of firepower was evident against the Silverswords (6-6, 11-9) in front a nice crowd of 577, which witnessed a 25-12, 25-15, 25-23 loss.
UH-Hilo hit just .080, mustering only 26 kills against 16 errors. Chaminade went 47-14 in that department.
Freshman middle blocker Ashton Jesse was once again a bright spot, notching nine kills, and Evelin Solyomvari added six.
Without Grant, the Vulcans were outdug 50-30.
