Colleges: Vulcans stumble against Argonauts in four sets

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The short-handed UH-Hilo volleyball team gave it the old college try again Friday night, but Bianca Alvarez powered Notre Dame de Namur to a four-set victory at the Vulcans’ gym.

The short-handed UH-Hilo volleyball team gave it the old college try again Friday night, but Bianca Alvarez powered Notre Dame de Namur to a four-set victory at the Vulcans’ gym.

Alvarez, the Pacific West Conference leader in kills, tallied 17 more against the Vulcans (8-12, 6-7 PacWest), who lost their fourth match in a row and continue to be without two of their leading hitters.

Evelin Solyomvari paced UH-Hilo with 11 kills on .333 hitting and Ashton Jessee and Randi Hunter each added nine.

The Argonauts (12-10, 7-7) broke a three-game slide and avenged a four-set loss to the Vulcans at home earlier this month.

UH-Hilo hit .220 in the first set, but finished at .114. Kiley Davis finished with seven blocks and libero Mina Grant returned to the lineup after a one-game absence with 28 digs.

Alvarez gave the Argonauts the lead for good in the third set, and she pounded seven kills in the fourth set, including on match point.

The Vulcans host Concordia on Monday.

Wahine lose

This one is going to leave a mark.

Emily Maglio’s career-high 27 kills weren’t enough as Hawaii ‘s chances at winning the Big West title and reaching the NCAA tournament were dealt a major blow by Cal Poly, which rallied for a 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 17-15 victory in San Luis Obispo, Calif. to remain undefeated in conference play.

The Wahine (15-7, 9-2 Big West) squandered a match point with a serving error, allowing the No. 23 Mustangs (21-2, 11-0) to win their 16th match in a row and sweep the season series for the first time since 1985.

Vuls steady

Junior Jared Kinoshita and freshman Evan Merrier each shot even-par as UH-Hilo stayed on striking distance after two rounds of its Dennis Rose Intercollegiate at Waikoloa Beach Course.

The Vulcans (579) were eight strokes behind St. Martin’s and in fourth place.

New into UH-Hilo’s starting lineup, Merrier opened with a 75 before closing a with 3-under 69 to record the third lowest score of the day.

Saint Martin’s Trevor Frisby posted a 65 into his credit to take the lead at 8-under 136.

Also recording scores for the Vulcans were Taylor Patrick (69-77–146) with Ryan Roodzant next at (74-74–148).

Both of the Vulcans’ 18-hole totals (291, 288) were season lows. Kamehameha graduate Preston-Lee Ching closed with a 74 and was 11-over.