The UTEP volleyball team won a game from national power Hawaii for the first time in school history, but went on to drop a 30-23, 23-30, 30-22, 30-21 decision to the 13th-ranked Rainbow Wahine on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
In the end, Kim Willoughby was too much for the Miners (5-8, 1-4 WAC). She registered a career-high 36 kills as Hawaii improved to 7-0 lifetime against UTEP. Willoughby hit .365 and added three blocks on the night. She entered the match leading the nation in kills at 6.35 per game.
The Rainbow Wahine moved to 11-4 overall and 4-0 in WAC play. It was Hawaii's eighth straight win overall.
After falling in game one 30-23, UTEP dominated Hawaii in game two, prevailing 30-23. The Miners never trailed in game two and the match was tied just twice, at 1-1 and 16-16.
After Hawaii erased an early 12-6 deficit and pulled even 16-16 in the second game, UTEP responded with a 12-6 spurt to forge a 28-22 advantage.
However, the Rainbow Wahine jumped out to a 4-0 edge in game three and UTEP couldn't get closer than two points the rest of the way, as Hawaii won the game by a 30-22 count.
UTEP fought gamely in game four, knotting the score for the last time at 15-15 before Hawaii wore down the Miners down the stretch.
Jennifer Abbruzzese supplied 13 kills and 17 digs for UTEP. Jacqui Nosan hit .265 with 14 kills and four blocks. Krista Gronert had 42 assists for the Miners.
UTEP was outhit .262 to .151 and committed 11 service errors. Hawaii hit .359 in the final game.
The Miners are off until Thursday (Oct. 18), when they play at Tulsa. UTEP meets Rice on Oct. 20 in Houston.
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