The University of Hawaii volleyball team struggled early then dominated late in a 19-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 win over UC Riverside on Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Rainbow Wahine (20-6, 12-3 Big West) stumbled in the first set against the Highlanders, who had been swept in six consecutive matches leading up to their trip to Hawaii. But UH pulled away from UCR (2-26, 0-16) in the next three sets to win the opener of its final regular-season homestand before a crowd of 4,318.

Nikki Taylor led UH with 15 kills, Kalei Greeley added 12 and Tai Manu-Olevao finished with 11 and UH improved to 17-0 all-time against UCR.

UCR sophomore Bri Holmes lead the Highlanders with a match-high 18 kills.

The Highlanders ended a 21-set losing streak in taking the lead on Friday. UCR hadn’t won a set since losing to Cal Poly in five on Oct. 30. It also marked the first time UCR claimed a set against UH since the Wahine rejoined the Big West in 2012.

The Highlanders stayed with the Wahine midway though the second set before UH took control with a 9-2 run and held off UCR to even the match.

The Wahine ran away with the third set and led throughout the fourth, ending the match on a block by Kalei Adolpho and Megan Huff.

The Rainbow Wahine close the regular season with their senior night match against UC Davis on Saturday. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m.