Box Score IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's volleyball team dropped a 25-20, 26-24, 25-16 decision to Hawai'i in front of 1,009 fans Saturday evening at the Bren Events Center.
 
Junior Harlee Kekauoha led the 'Eaters with 12 kills and no errors on 29 swings (.414). She also notched six digs and four block assists. Sophomore Makayla Wolfe added seven kills, while senior Brianna Montgomery had six. Senior Luna Tsujimoto anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 19 digs.
 
Junior setter Ali Koumelis finished with a double-double, dishing out 32 assists and picking up 12 digs.
 
UC Irvine (21-7, 9-6 Big West) got off to a strong start in the opening set, pulling ahead 9-6 on a Kekauoha kill. The 'Eaters stayed out front and pushed their lead to five at 13-8, but Hawai'i proceeded to score six unanswered to go on top, 14-13. UCI sided out and the two teams traded points until the Rainbow Wahine made a late push for the 25-20 win.
 
After six early ties, the 'Bows created some separation midway through set two, with a 14-9 advantage. The Anteaters called a timeout and came storming back with a 6-1 run to knot it up at 15-15. UH eventually increased its cushion to four, but UC Irvine responded once again, reeling off four-straight points to make it 22-all. UCI was then able to fend off one set point before a Rainbow Wahine block ended it at 26-24.
 
Hawai'i (20-7, 14-2 Big West) held an early lead in the third frame until the 'Eaters answered with back-to-back kills from Wolfe and a perfectly placed tip shot by Montgomery to even the score at 6-6. The 'Bows then regained the momentum as they ran away with the 25-16 victory.
 
Emily Maglio and Natasha Burns paced UH with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Norene Iosia also finished with a double-double, registering 19 assists and 18 digs.
 
UC Irvine is back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 21, when it hosts UC Santa Barbara in its regular-season finale at 7 p.m. The Anteaters will honor their three seniors, Brianna Montgomery, Luna Tsujimoto and Chloe Hakim, after the match.