The No. 6 Hawaii water polo team was victorious twice on the opening day of the 2019 season, defeating No. 22 Marist 17-3 in a noon match and following with a 16-2 win over Sonoma State in the evening at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
UH returning All-America attacker Irene Gonzalez recorded a hat trick in both games to begin her senior season. Freshman attacker Maxine Schaap scored four times in her debut against Marist, while fellow-first year player Alba Bonamusa Boix netted three. Sophomore center Lalelei Mata’afa put in four in the nightcap.
The Rainbow Wahine conclude the Rainbow Invite, facing No. 19 San Diego State at 10:15 a.m. today.
Dressler carries Chaminade to win
Grant Dressler racked up a career-high 34 points, leading the 19th-ranked Silverswords to a 79-76 win over Concordia at McCabe Gymnasium.
Chaminade (14-3, 8-3 PacWest) led by as many as 12, but Concordia (13-7, 9-2 PacWest) rallied to cut the lead to 77-76 with 25 seconds left. But Brian Chambers (team-high 24 points) missed a 27-footer with 3 seconds left, allowing the Silverswords to escape.
Loss ruins big night for Castro
Chaminade’s Destiny Castro had 16 points, but a historic night for her was not enough to propel the Silverswords to a win, as Concordia defeated Chaminade 80-65 at McCabe Gymnasium.
The 16 points for Castro gave her 910 in her career, moving her past Kristle Henry (908) for third in the program’s all-time scoring list. Only Lilia Maio (1,266) and Samantha Saito (1,141) have more.
Michaela VanderKlugt led Concordia (6-10, 5-6 PacWest) with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Hunter Liftee had 15 points and Jordyn Zader added 12 for Chaminade (4-11, 2-8).
Sea Lions race past Vulcans
Allie Navarette had 26 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Vulcans to victory as Point Loma defeated UH Hilo 66-50 at the Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
Carol Schroeder had a double-double for the Sea Lions (8-10, 7-5 PacWest) with 12 points and 12 boards. The Vulcans dropped their seventh-straight to move to 4-10 for the year and 1-9 in conference play.
Sandell finishes fifth at UCLA
Hawaii senior diver Johan Sandell placed fifth in the men’s three-meter springboard, with a score of 648.80 at the UCLA Bruin Diving Invitational in Los Angeles.
Freshman Max Burman was not far behind Sandell at No. 8 with a score of 600.65.
