HONOLULU, HI. The Western Colorado volleyball team kicked off the Hawaii Challenge on Thursday afternoon, opening the tournament against Western Oregon. The Mountaineers battled throughout the match but ultimately fell 0-3.
Western returned to the court later Thursday for its second match of the day, taking on Chaminade University. The Mountaineers continued to compete hard but came up short in their final match of the day, closing out Thursday's action with a pair of tough losses.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Western Oregon University def. Western Colorado, 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-23)
Records: Western Colorado 4-1, Western Oregon 3-2
Location: HPU Shark Tank
Final score: Chaminade University def. Western Colorado, 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-23)
Records: Western Colorado 4-2, Chaminade University 4-4
Location: McCabe Gymnasium
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1
- In Western's first match in the Aloha State, the Mountaineers battled Western Oregon in a competitive matchup. Western Oregon took control early in the opening set, as the Mountaineers fell 25-17.
- The second set was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. Western continued to battle throughout the frame, but Western Oregon scored the final two points to claim the set, 25-23.
- Maggie Legg led the Mountaineers offensively with 10 kills, while Andrea Torres and Page Oothoudt each added six kills. Olivia Moore paced the Western offense with 15 assists, while Anuhea Ka'alele contributed 10 assists.
- The third set followed a similar script, as both teams traded runs and neither side was able to gain much separation. Western Oregon made a late push down the stretch and secured the third set, 25-23, to complete the sweep.
- Defensively, Moore and Galatia Andrew led the Mountaineers with 10 digs apiece, while Ka'alele added eight digs in the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2
- In the final match of the night, Western Colorado faced Chaminade University in a hard-fought battle. The Mountaineers came out firing in the opening set, jumping out to an early advantage before Chaminade rallied late to take the first frame, 25-23.
- Western once again came out strong in the second set, building an early lead and looking to even the match. Chaminade responded with a run of its own, eventually reclaiming the lead and holding on to take the second set, 25-19.
- Maggie Legg continued her strong offensive play, leading the Mountaineers with 11 kills, while Andrea Torres added seven. Ka'alele paced the offense with 19 assists, with Olivia Moore contributing 13 assists in the match.
- Defensively, Makaelah Paulino stepped up with a season-high 11 digs to lead Western, while Galatia Andrew added nine digs. The third set proved to be another closely contested battle, with both teams trading momentum throughout the frame. Western struggled to find a consistent rhythm but continued to battle until the end before Chaminade ultimately secured the set, 25-23.
UP NEXT
Western is back in action on Friday as they will take on Hawaii Pacific University at 11 PM MT.
