SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. (Nov. 17) — Leah Wiiest (Sr., Spokane, Wa./Deer Park/Cornell) recorded a team high 17 kills and 19 digs to lead the Seattle Pacific volleyball team in a 26-30, 30-22, 30-22, 30-26 loss to Hawaii Pacific University in the first round of the NCAA Pacific Regional tournament Thursday in San Bernardino, Calif. The Falcons and Sea Warriors are seeded No. 5 and No. 4, respectively.

The Falcons (12-6, 20-8) jumped out to an early lead over the reigning national and newly-crowned PacWest conference champion Sea Warriors (18-4, 21-3) behind the hot hand of Wiiest. It did not take HPU long however to show why they are a threat to go all the way once again as the Sea Warriors took control of the match and never looked back.

"They played with great composure," said Falcons Coach Kellie Radloff. "Hawaii Pacific is a great team but I felt like we played them smartly, particularly in game one," a 30-26 Falcon win. "This is just one more learning experience for us. We're losing four great seniors but our returning players know now what it takes to get to the next level and we'll be back."

Leilani Kamahoahoa (Sr., Oregon City, Or./Canby) was not far behind Wiiest with 13 kills and 15 digs while Cathleen Price (Fr., Gresham, Or./Sam Barlow) chipped in 12 and 10 of her own.

Andrea Wean led the Sea Warriors with a match-high 20 kills while Roberta Robert had 18 kills and 20 digs. Tiesa Fotu had 13 kills, 11 digs and four service aces. All-American Nia Tuitele, the Pacific West Conference Player of the Year, had 53 assists and 22 digs.

HPU advances to the semi-final round tomorrow night to take on No. 1 seed and tournament host Cal State San Bernardino.

HPU def. SPU 26-30, 30-22, 30-22, 30-26

Kills-SPU 58 (Wiiest 17), HPU 65

Digs-SPU 77 (Wiiest 19), HPU 87

Blocks-SPU 4, HPU 8

Assists-SPU 55 (Higgins 48), HPU 64