SAN FRANCISCO – One week ago, Hawaii Hilo limited to Saints to less than 20 points in all three sets. Fast forward one week and the Saints pull off a dramatic five set victory over the Vulcans for their first win of the 2018 season.
 
Megan Vernoy and Ililani Kamaka each set a career high in kills, 17 and 19 respectively, to lead the Saints (1-3) over the Vulcans (2-2). SMU cruised to victories in the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-17 before Hawaii Hilo responded by forcing a fifth set, 18-25 and 19-25. Kamaka and Vernoy once again led the offensive attack and forced seven kills and two service aces in the final set.
 
Hawaii Hilo jumped out to an early lead in the first set, 6-2, before the Saints quickly stormed backed. Led by Vernoy, who had seven kills in the first set alone, the Saints went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Saints closed out the set on a 8-2 run, highlighted by two kills from Kamaka and a service ace by Gondrezick.
 
In the second set, the Saints continued to roll the Vulcans, taking an early 7-2 commanding lead. Vernoy and Kamaka continued to be the source of the offense for the Saints, as the lead grew to as many as eight. Hawaii Hilo managed to close the score to within two before the Saints rattled off 11 of the final 15 points of the set.
 
Hawaii Hilo responded with force in the third set, taking a 17-9 lead. The Saints began to chip away at the lead, dwindling it down to as little as four multiple times; however, the Vulcans managed to hang on and take the set 25-18.
 
Hawaii Hilo and Saint Martin's battled in a highly contested fourth set, with six ties, the latest coming at 19-19. Hawaii Hilo found the first edge of the set, scoring six straight to close out the set and force a fifth and final set.
 
After leading the Saints the whole match, Vernoy and Kamaka came through in the final set, collecting six more kills combined and a service ace for both of them to put the Saints up 11-5. After Hawaii Hilo managed to close the gap to three, Kamaka's kill shifted the momentum back to the Saints as SMU held on for the 15-10 set victory and their first win of the season.
 
"Man we played like a team tonight," said head coach Jon Killingbeck. "We don't win this match without everyone's contribution and effort. Also it was great to see Ula (Kamaka) blossom tonight."
 
Kamaka, who held a career high of nine kills, shattered her high with 19 kills on 38 attempts and an staggering .447 attacking percentage. Vernoy also set a career high in kills with 17, breaking her record by one, along with a .364 attacking percentage. Gondrezick took a team high 55 attacks, recording 16 kills and 16 digs. Courtney Misner blew her career high digs in a single match (24) out of the water, ending with 34, fifth most in program history. Freshman Alyssa Bartlett added 53 assists, a career high in her young career, which ties for 11th most in school history.
 
The Saints, however, do not get long to enjoy the win, taking on Academy of Art tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. before wrapping up the Showcase with a match against CSU Dominguez Hills at 5:15 p.m. Live stats and video are available with links on smusaints.com.