Wahine sand loses to Pepperdine, USC

The No. 5 University of Hawai`i sand volleyball team dropped a pair of dual matches to No. 1 Pepperdine and No. 4 USC and won two of five matchups in mixed pairs competition Saturday afternoon at Zuma Beach. UH dropped to 4-6 in dual matches this year.

In UH’s first match of the day, the Rainbow Wahine fell short against USC (10-5) for the second time this season. Hawai`i also fell to the Trojans, 5-0, in the team’s first road match of the year on March 22. UH got a win on the No. 2 court with a three-set victory byNatasha Bell and Tai Manu-Olevao, while Katie Spieler and Ginger Long picked up a tight win on the No. 4 court. UH, however, fell in straight sets on courts No. 1, 3 and 5.

In its second match of the day, UH simply could not match up with host and defending national champion Pepperdine, which continues to roll this season. The Waves, who moved to a perfect 12-0 on the year, made quick work of the Rainbow Wahine, winning all five courts in straight sets.

Following the dual matches, the teams broke up into pair competition with UH winning two of its five pairings. Ali Longo and Karlee Riggs defeated Brooke Fournier and Alexa Stonish of USC in three sets, while Ku`ulei Zalopany and Olivia Urban dispatched Jazmine Orozco and Lauren Sieckmann of Pepperdine, also in three sets.

Next up for the Rainbow Wahine is their final regular season competition of the year—the USAV Beach Collegiate Championship—in Hermosa Beach, Calif., March 23-24.

Dual Match Doubleheader Results
#4 USC  def.  #5 Hawai`i, 3-2
1. Kirby Burnham/Stevi Robinson (USC) def. Jane Croson/Ashley Kastl (UH) 21-13, 21-11
2.  Natasha Bell/Tai Manu-Olevao (UH) def. Katie Fuller/Cinnamon Sary (USC) 22-20, 20-22, 15-10
3.  Eve Ettinger/Bria Russ (USC) def. Ali Longo/Karlee Riggs (UH) 21-12, 21-15
4.  Katie Spieler/Ginger Long (UH) def. Sam Hirschmann/Natasha Siljkovic (USC) 22-20, 21-16
5.  Brooke Fournier/Alexa Stonish (USC) def. Ku`ulei Zalopany/Olivia Urban (UH) 21-19, 21-11

#1 Pepperdine def. #5 Hawai`i, 5-0
1.  Lilla Frederick/Kim Hill (PEP) def. Natasha Bell/Tai Manu-Olevao (UH) 21-13, 21-16
2.  Lara Dykstra/Caitlin Racich (PEP) def. Jane Croson/Ashley Kastl (UH) 21-9, 21-11
3.  Kelley Larsen/Kellie Woolever (PEP) def. Katie Spieler/Ginger Long (UH) 21-12. 21-13
4.  Victoria Adelhelm/Taylor Racich (PEP) def. Ali Longo/Karlee Riggs (UH) 21-13, 21-18
5.  Emily Cook/Katie Messing (PEP) def. Ku`ulei Zalopany/Olivia Urban (UH) 21-14, 21-14

Pairs Competition
Victoria Adelhelm/Taylor Racich (PEP) def. Jane Croson/Ashley Kastl (UH) 21-14, 21-17
Ali Longo/Karlee Riggs (UH) def. Brooke Fournier/Alexa Stonish (USC) 17-21, 22-20, 15-11
Ku`ulei Zalopany/Olivia Urban (UH)  def. Jazmine Orozco/Lauren Sieckmann (PEP) 21-13, 16-21, 15-12
Kirby Burnham/Stevi Robinson (USC) def. Natasha Bell/Tai Manu-Olevao (UH)  21-15, 22-20
Lara Dykstra/Caitlin Racich (PEP) def. Katie Spieler/Ginger Long (UH) 25-12, 21-18