Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of University of Hawaii Manoa

COLLEGE STATION, Texas—The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team opened the 2022 season with a five set loss at Texas A&M, 25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-17, 11-15 on Friday morning at the Reed Center in College Station, Texas. Hawai’i got off to a hot start out-hitting the Aggies, .355-to-.194 in the first set, but could not maintain their momentum as unforced errors plagued UH in the marathon match.
 
On offense, five Rainbow Wahine notched 10+ kills each, led by junior outside hitter Riley Wagoner who put down a team- and career-high 21 kills hitting a lofty .364 (21-5-44). It was just her second 20+ kill match of her career. Also posting career-highs in kills were fellow juniors Tiffany Westerberg and Braelyn Akana. Westerberg, who got the start at middle, added 12 kills and had three blocks while Akana had 10 kills and was in on three blocks as well. Making some noise in her collegiate debut was  freshman pin hitter Caylen Alexander who downed 10 kills. Although Amber Igiede did not record a kill until midway through the second set, she finished with 13 kills and hit a team-best .379. But her streak of registering at leasd one block in every match played at UH was snapped at 58.
 
Kate Lang began her sophomore campaign with her 13th career double-double (55 assists (match-high)/11 digs). Lang was one of four ‘Bows to tally 10+ digs as libero Tayli Ikenaga led UH with 17. Junior transfer Talia Edmonds made her Rainbow Wahine debut with 13 digs off the bench while outside hitter Kendra Ham saw time in the back row and added 12 digs while recording her first career kill for UH.