Rainbow Wahine lose close 1 on road

The Hawaii women’s soccer team entertained thoughts of the program’s first road victory over a ranked foe before falling 2-1 at No. 14 UC Irvine on Friday.

First-year coach Michele Nagamine’s squad took a 1-0 halftime lead when true freshman Tiana Fujimoto headed in a cross from Karli Look in the 43rd minute.

The Anteaters capitalized on turnovers at midfield with quick counterattacks to net scores from Natalia Ledezma and Lexi Kopf in the 53rd and 80th minutes, preserving their unbeaten (5-0) record.

The Rainbow Wahine (0-4), who were outshot 18-7, are still hunting for their first win of the season, but Nagamine was thrilled with the result.

"It was such a tremendous team effort. The scary part is, I feel we played well enough to win," Nagamine said. "We went head to head, on the road, with the No. 14 team in the country. They are a fantastic team, and we played them up and up.

"We’re getting better every game and we’re learning from our mistakes. Now we’re getting to the point where it’s just not going to be enough for us to just play well."

UH continues its three-game road swing through California at another Big West Conference team, Long Beach State, on Sunday.

U.S. men in volleyball final

The U.S. men’s national volleyball team reached today’s final of the NORCECA Continental Championship with a 25-14, 25-16, 26-24 victory over Puerto Rico Friday. The win qualified the U.S. for World Cup, which is the first step in qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

Hawaii’s Clay Stanley scored 10 points for the U.S. Stanley suffered an ankle injury earlier in the tournament but started Friday’s match.

Team USA (4-0) meets Cuba (4-1) in today’s NORCECA championship, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

UH-Hilo sweeps in volleyball

Hillary Hurley hit .400 with 12 kills and UH-Hilo swept Massachusetts-Boston 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 on Friday night in Hilo.

Kirsten Sparnaalj added eight kills and Bryana Kekauoha added 31 assists for the Vulcans, who improved to 3-0. The Beacons fell to 0-1.

Chaminade men’s soccer earns draw

The Silverswords opened the season with a 0-0 draw against UH-Hilo on Friday at Saint Louis field. Chaminade (0-0-1) faces Cornerstone on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., which follows the Chaminade women’s match against University of Mary at 10 a.m.

HPU women remain unbeaten

Kaua Wall scored the lone goal at the 65:51 mark as the Sea Warriors (2-0) beat University of Mary (N.D.) on Friday at Atherton field. HPU goalie Carianne Makino recorded nine saves.

UH-Hilo wins in double overtime

Kristine Pasek scored the match-winner in the 104th minute as the Lady Vulcans defeated San Diego Christian 3-2 in double overtime on Friday in El Cajon, Calif. Pasek opened the match with a goal for UH-Hilo (1-0-0) in the ninth minute; Kelly Fitzpatrick tied the match at 2 in the 67th minute. UH Hilo plays Point Loma Nazarene on Sunday.