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September 1, 2006 Lacey, WA – The Saints kept it exciting in their three game loss to Hawaii Pacific University Friday night at the Saint Martin’s Pavilion. The match gave fans a glimpse of what is yet to come from the Saints volleyball team. They held their own in all three games getting edged out 34-36, 26-30, and 29-31. “I’m proud of the kids,” said head coach Phil Ibarra. “The jitters are coming off, the butterflies are flying by and the girls are playing volleyball the way it should be played. To play a nationally ranked team like Hawaii Pacific and take them to three games like we did is unbelievable.” The first game set the stage for the entire match; an intense, back and forth standoff in which both teams battled from start to finish. The Saints took an early lead which the held until the Sea Warriors fought their way back and tied the score at 29-29. The lead continued to change hands until an attack error by the Saints gave the Sea Warriors just what needed to capture the win 34-36. The Saints fell behind in game two but managed to come back from a five point deficit to put themselves even with the Sea Warriors. The game continued to stay close until with the score tied 26-26, the Sea Warriors surged ahead to defeat the Saints 26-30. Game three was a battle from beginning to end with neither team ahead by more then two points the entire game. A service error by the Saints allowed the Sea Warriors to tie it up. The Sea Warriors Barbara Martin then slammed down two of her match high 26 kills to give HPU the win. “The youthfulness of our team obviously showed. We just need to keep playing with intensity and determination,” said Ibarra. “Our freshmen are pulling the load; they are all working really hard.” Shealun Campisi (Fr., Buckley/White River) led the Saints with 20 kills and ten digs. Kristin Anderson (Fr., Vancouver/LaSalle) added nine kills, ten digs and four service aces. Kimber Simonetti (Fr., Olympia/Capitol) also contributed 11 digs on the night. “Dynamite comes in small packages; we will surprise the GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference),” stated Ibarra.
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