Rainbow Wahine outlast St. John’s at Hawaiian Airlines Classic
Junior hitter Jolie Rasmussen put down 16 kills and freshman hitter Hanna Hellvig added 15 as Hawaii outlasted St. John’s 26-28, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22,15-12 in tonight’s second match of the Hawaiian Airlines Classic volleyball tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Rainbow Wahine, 2-0 for the first time since 2015, go for their 12th title in this event when taking on No. 13 Washington (2-0) in Sunday’s tournament finale at 5 p.m. In today’s first match, the Huskies turned back No. 21 San Diego, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 29-27.
The Toreros (0-2) will play the Red Storm (0-2) for third place at 2:45 p.m. Sunday.
A Pac-12 team has won the past four titles. The Wahine last won their signature event in 2013.
The match lasted 2 hours and 55 minutes. It was the second five-setter for the Wahine in as many nights.
Hawaii won the block battle 16-6.5 with freshman middle Amber Igiede in on eight to go along with 10 kills. Senior setter Norene Iosia had her second straight double-double with 27 assists and 12 digs.
Klara Mikelova led St. John’s with 17 kills and Rachele Rastelli added 16.. Libero Amanda Sanabia had a match-high 21 digs.