UH rebounds with sweep of Pepperdine

The Maui News

A day after dropping a five-set upset to Liberty, the 23rd-ranked University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team bounced back with a resounding sweep of Pepperdine on Friday night — 27-25, 25-18, 25-21 — in the Outrigger Volleyball Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

Caylen Alexander had 15 kills and 11 digs, and Riley Wagoner added 14 kills to lead the Rainbow Wahine (5-2), who hit .324.

UH, which fell to Liberty 17-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 15-13 on the first day of the tournament, appeared to be in for another long night in the first set Friday, falling behind 22-15. But a furious rally brought the ‘Bows back within 22-18 and then 23-20 before they closed it out with a 6-1 run that included a pair of aces from Wagoner and a clinching kill from Alexander.

From there, the Rainbow Wahine never trailed again.

Birdie Hendrickson led the Waves (1-6) with 10 kills.

UH closes the tournament Sunday against UCLA.