Hawaii Hilo edges out Women's Volleyball

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The American International College women's volleyball team fell 19-25, 25-22, 22-25, 18-25 to the University of Hawaii-Hilo on Friday, September 1.

AIC is now 0-2 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets got off to a tough start in the first set, falling behind 6-2. They were able to catch up midway through the set, closing to 18-17 thanks to a five-point run with two Adriana Rivera Rodriguez aces and a kill, but the Vulcans were able to hold off AIC's charge to take the opening set.

In the second, it was AIC with the early run, as the Yellow Jackets roared to a 9-3 lead. Five different players recorded kills in the early stages of the set, and though the Vulcans pushed to within one at a few points, this time it was the Yellow Jackets who kept the opposition at bay for the set victory, tying the score at 1-1.

The third set started strong for the Yellow Jackets, who seemed in command with a 12-4 advantage. They led 18-12 when the Vulcans hammered their way back with six straight points, and stunned AIC with the 25-22 set victory. The home side then quickly built a fourth-set lead that they never relinquished to take the match 3-1.

Kristina Peric led AIC with a dozen kills and 13 digs, while Alice di Francesco had a strong night setting, compiling career highs with 27 assists and 13 digs along with a pair of kills. Aleksandra Ivanovic added six kills on 15 swings with two blocks.

The Yellow Jackets next face Hawaii Pacific University on Saturday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and follow that with a 1:00 a.m. Eastern match on Sunday, September 3 against Chaminade University.