The Chaminade women’s volleyball team got swept by Biola on Friday night. This contest broke the Silverswords’ eight-match win streak and was its first conference loss. This match not only snapped its eight-match win streak but also its 31-match PacWest win streak, which was the third longest in PacWest history
“We had moments, but moments are not going to help us win matches,” said head coach Kahala Kabalis Hoke, who is in her 14th season at Chaminade. “I think this loss will really humble us and get us back to the drawing board of why we were successful as of late.”
This match was Biola’s (11-5) first away and conference win of the season. While Chaminade (11-9) was 5-0 in PacWest play going into the match, it was stunned in the 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) sweep. The loss gives Chaminade a bad start to its first of seven straight games on Oahu. This was a reminder that this year’s volleyball team is not the same invincible team from last year that finished 20-0 in conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
The match was close in the first two sets, with them being decided by just three points. However, the Eagles were able to close out the final set confidently by six points. Biola was able to shut down the Silverswords’ attack with eight blocks. This caused Chaminade to become disorganized with their attack, which led to 22 errors offensively.
“We started out the season with very little communication, very little discipline, and we’re getting in the rhythm of it, so I feel like it just didn’t work out today,” said CUH freshman outside hitter Lillie Hinton, who tied for the team lead with seven kills. “Whether we weren’t in the right headspace or we were just not executing on the things we needed to be, we’ll get them next time.”
Senior outside hitter Alizaysha Sopi and Hinton led Chaminade offensively with seven kills. Also, leading on offensive and defensive stats was senior setter/defensive specialist, Allexis Iramina, with 17 assists and 13 digs.
Biola’s redshirt senior outside hitter, Kendall Vandertuig topped the statsheet with 16 kills. This was more than the two Chaminade kill leaders had combined. Not only did she lead the Eagles in kills, but she also was first on the team in digs with 11.
“She’s [Vandertuig] their kill leader and lead attacker, and we knew that coming into the match,” Hoke said. “So we fell short on block execution and defense execution tonight.”
On Saturday, the Silverswords lost a second match in a row 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-27, 21-25) to Vanguard, who is a member of the PacWest. However, this game was considered a non-conference game due to the unbalanced league schedule.
Point Loma and Fresno Pacific remain the only two undefeated teams in the conference. Chaminade will face Point Loma on Oct. 25 and Fresno on Nov. 7.
“We really need to focus on relaxing because we were tense at points, taking our breaths, and then really focusing on the communication and discipline part,” Hinton said. “So just getting back to base [the basics], doing our jobs, and just talking when the ball’s in between people and who’s going to get it.”
Chaminade women’s volleyball returns to action on Wednesday against rivals Hawaii Pacific University (4-15) at The Shark Tank. The first serve will be at 7 p.m.