Junior hitter Nikki Taylor put down 14 kills and No. 11 Hawaii put up 10 blocks to sweep UC Santa Barbara 25-13, 25-14, 25-19 in the Big West volleyball opener for both teams tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center. 

Hawaii’s middles did not commit a hitting error in a combined 33 swings with sophomore Emily Maglio putting down eight kills and senior Olivia Magill six. Senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao added nine kills and Maglio tied her career high when being in on six blocks for the Rainbow Wahine (11-1, 1-0 Big West).

The teams combined for 101 digs in the 97-minute contest. UCSB libero Emilia Petrachi had a match-high 19 digs and Hawaii libero Savanah Kahakai had 18. 

Chanel Hoffman led the Gauchos (4-8, 0-1) with seven kills. It was the seventh straight loss for UCSB.

Hawaii hosts Cal Poly (8-3, 0-0) to close out its five-week opening homestand.