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| August 24, 2007 Seasiders Open with Win
Los Angeles, CA–The 19th-ranked Brigham Young University Hawaii women’s volleyball team started the new season on a winning note today, defeating Central Washington 3-1 in the opening match of the CSULA/CPP Tournament today. The Seasiders, 1-0 for the year, came from behind to take the first game 30-28, and then claimed a 30-24 win in game two. The Wildcats rebounded to win game three 30-21 but the Seasiders took control early in game four and closed out the match with a 30-27 victory. Sophomore outside hitter Agnes Tuilevuka hammered 18 kills to lead the BYU–Hawaii attack. Senior outside hitter Noelle Filimoeatu powered down 17 kills and junior middle blocker Faylynn Merrick added ten for the Seasiders. Junior setter LeeAnn Mapu got eight kills to go with her 42 assists for BYU–Hawaii. Filimoeatu led the Seasider defense with 26 digs to match her career high. Tuilevuka chipped in 18 digs and freshman libero Keisha Moeai got added 17. Another freshman, middle blocker Tanza Buroker led the team with six blocks to go with her six kills while sophomore outside hitter Ane Vea contributed four blocks and five kills. Central Washington jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first game but the Seasiders, behind three kills by Tuilevuka, scored 12 of the next 14 points to take a 19-14 lead and held off the Wildcats down the stretch. Game two was tied at 17-17 when the Seasiders used a four point run fueled by kills by Filimoeatu and Vea to take control and cruise to the win. The Wildcats got back into the match in game three by breaking away from a 16-16 tie by outscoring the Seasiders 14-5 down the stretch and forcing a fourth game. However, BYU–Hawaii broke out to a 10-5 lead in game four after a Merrick kill and held the lead throughout the final game. Central Washington rallied to cut the lead to just 28-27 late in the game but Filimoeatu put away a kill to get the Seasiders to match point and a Wildcat error ended the match. Rachael Schurman led Central Washington with 15 kills while Erin Norris added 12 for the Wildcats. Erika Stevens had 21 digs and Bree Brandt six blocks in the loss as the Wildcats open the season at 0-1. BYU–Hawaii faces 17th-ranked Cal State-LA later today at 7:00 pm PDT on the Eagle’s home floor as the tournament continues.
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