Senior hitter Emily Hartong put down 21 kills and No. 10 Hawaii won a hard-fought battle with Arizona 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23 tonight to claim the championship of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Volleyball Challenge at the Stan Sheriff Center.

For the first time this season, the Rainbow Wahine (8-1) had four players in double-figure kills: junior middle Kalei Adolpho (career-high 14), sophomore hitter Tai Manu-Olevao (career-tying 11) and freshman hitter Nikki Taylor (career-high 11). A crowd of 7,856 (9,144 tickets) watched Hawaii win its sixth straight  and run its record to 12-0 against the Wildcats (7-2).

Wahine setter Mita Uiato was named the most outstanding player. Joining her on the all-tournament team were UH’s Adolpho and Hartong; Arizona’s Madi Kingdon and Olivia Magill; Northwestern’s Stephanie Holthus and Portland State’s Kaeli Patton (Radford High). 

Kingdon led the Wildcats with 19 kills and was in on six blocks. Setter Penina Snuka (Kahuku High)  finished with 37 assists.

Arizona outblocked Hawaii 15.5-6.

The Wahine finished with a 62-49 edge in digs. Ali Longo had 14, Hartong 13, Uiato 12 and Manu-Olivao 11.

In the earlier third-place match, Northwestern (5-4) needed just 70 minutes in sweeping Portland State (3-7), 25-17, 25-17, 25-13.