Sweet To Elite

Photo Credit: Hawaii Athletics

Hawaii Recap | Penn State Recap | Full Match(es) | Post-Match Interview

In a top ten ranked match-up of unseeded No. 7 ranked Hawaii and seventh seeded and No. 8 ranked Penn State, the Rainbow Wahine advanced after sweeping the Nittany Lions. The score went 25-22, 27-25, 25-16. This win by Hawaii is the first win over Penn State in program history as it brings the series record to 1-5. Penn State was the two-time defending national champions and have not lost in the NCAA Tournament since 2012. It was also Penn State's worst loss in the postseason since 2011 when they also lost in the regional semifinals to the eventual national champions.

Many people say that this is the best Hawaii has played all season and the results are proving that. Tonight they were led by junior opposite Nikki Taylor who had 18 kills and hit .361 and had eight digs while senior outside hitter Tai Manu-Olevau hit .500 with 14 kills and eight digs. Senior middle blocker Olivia Magill had nine kills hitting .474 while junior setter Tayler Higgins collected 48 assists. As a team, Hawaii hit .389 and had 54 kills and assists which were the most for a three set match this season.

There were technical difficulties for the first and second sets where the stream was not available. ESPN3 has the match up for a full replay. One user on VolleyTalk is uploading all postseason Hawaii matches in parts so I will post links later.

Hawaii moves on to the Elite Eight where they face second seeded and No. 4 ranked Minnesota. These two teams have not met since 2008 where they faced off each other in a preseason tournament hosted by UH with the Rainbow Wahine coming out with a 3-2 victory. Winner of this match will win the Des Moines Regionals and head to the Final Four.

That one's not coming back. #NCAAVB pic.twitter.com/eflmlktPMR

— NCAA Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 12, 2015

Hawaii Is Sweet Sixteen Bound

After a Friday afternoon five set battle against TCU, the Rainbow Wahine took care of the 10th seeded Texas A&M. In a battle of Top 15 teams, the seventh ranked Hawaii swept 15th ranked Texas A&M by a score of 25-22, 25-19, 25-20. This match was between the SEC Champions and the Big West Champions with the Big West coming out on top.

Hawaii was led tonight by the 19 digs of libero Savanah Kahakai and 37 assists and two aces of setter Tayler Higgins. Outside hitter Kalei Greeley was steady as she had 10 kills and no errors for .625 hitting percentage. Opposite Nikki Taylor led both teams with 14 kills and had eight digs. Middle blockers Olivia Magill and Emily Maglio both hit over .300 and had ten and nine kills. Magill had five blocks as well.

Texas A&M end their season 24-7 while Hawaii is now at 28-1 and bring their winning streak to 23. The Bows will head to Des Moines, Iowa where they will play in the Sweet Sixteen against seventh seeded and eighth ranked Penn State.

*Note: A replay of this match is available on ESPN3

Recap

Hawaii Recap | Texas A&M Recap

Box Score (HTML)

Post Match Quotes