Seasiders claim PacWest title

Brigham Young-Hawaii did its job and then got some help from Hawaii Pacific last night to earn the Pacific West Conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II volleyball tournament.

The Seasiders swept Chaminade 29-27, 25-17, 25-23 at McCabe Gym, getting match highs of 13 kills and 18 digs from Losalina Faka’osi. Some 30 minutes later, BYUH learned that HPU had upset Hawaii-Hilo 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22 at St. Andrew’s Priory.

The win by BYUH (16-8, 13-3) combined by the loss by UHH (18-5, 13-3) left the two teams tied in the standings. The Seasiders take the NCAA berth via the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Both the Vulcans and Sea Warriors (18-6, 12-4) will learn today whether either get an at-large berth.

BYUH eliminated in soccer

Ellen Wilson scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute as No. 12 UC San Diego ousted Brigham Young-Hawaii from the NCAA D-II women’s soccer tournament last night at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Freshman keeper Megan McCain had five saves for the Seasiders (14-2-2) against the Tritons (16-2-3). It was the first postseason appearance in the BYUH program’s history.

‘Swords finish unbeaten in Challenge

Steven Bennett scored 20 points and Chris Curtis added 12 to lead Chaminade past host Saint Martin’s 73-48 in the GNAC/PacWest Challenge finale at Lacey, Wash.

Chandler Pearson added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Silverswords (2-0) in claiming the unofficial title of the four-team tourney. The Saints (1-1) got 16 points from Jeremy Green.

» In yesterday’s first game at Marcus Pavilion, Justin Smith scored 24 points and Zach Wilde added 17 to lead Hawaii-Hilo past Western Oregon 87-79.

Dirk Snel chipped in 12 points and Lavell Shipman 11 for the Vulcans (1-1), who never trailed against the Wolves (0-2).

» In a game that ended after midnight yesterday, No. 24 Brigham Young-Hawaii defeated Taiyun University of China 94-71 at Cannon Activities Center.

Senior Marques Whippy scored 21 points with 15 rebounds and six steals to lead the Seasiders in the exhibition.

Sea Warriors win opener

Paris Gravely scored 19 points to lead five Hawaii Pacific players in double-figure scoring as the Sea Warriors opened the season with a 92-72 victory over Adams State College in nonconference women’s basketball yesterday at Blaisdell Arena.

Katelyn Urquhart came off the bench for 13 points and Jazzmin Awa-Williams added 12 for HPU (1-0). Chloe Cable led the Grizzlies (1-0) with 14 points and Kendra Coveal turned in a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

» Kayce Kirihara scored 13 points, but it wasn’t enough as Hawaii-Hilo fell to Saint Martin’s for the second consecutive night, dropping a nonconference women’s basketball game 72-57 in Lacey, Wash.

Kristen Woodring grabbed 10 rebounds for the Vulcans (0-2), who were outscored by the Saints (2-0) 28-14 in the final 10 minutes.

Japan takes junior golf cup

Japan concluded a sweep yesterday, capturing nine of the 16 available points in the final round, to win the fourth annual Asia Pacific Junior Cup 20-12 over Team Hawaii at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course.

Japan has now won three of the four Cups. The tournament brings together 16 of Japan’s finest high school golfers and 16 from Hawaii in a Ryder Cup-style format.

Hawaii won five of a possible 16 points the first two days in team matches.

The Hawaii winners yesterday were Kacie Komoto, Ryan Kuroiwa, Aaron Kunitomo, Cyd Okino, Lorens Chan and Scott Yamashita. Reo Saito and Cassy Isagawa halved their matches.

Rainbow Wahine softball signs 3

Castle High infielder/pitcher Leisha Liilii is among three incoming freshmen to sign letters of intent this week to play softball for Hawaii.

Liilii hit .439 with a .975 fielding average for the Knights last season. Joining her in the 2011-12 class are Californians Jordan Burton and Kayla Wartner.

Burton is a utility player for Mission Hills High who hit .371 last season. Wartner is a catcher/first baseman at Escondido High who hit .378 last season.