1998 Game-by-Game Recap: UH vs. BYU (11/28/98)


Hawai'i Wins Marathon Match


In the championship match of the WAC Tournament, the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine prevailed with a five-game win over the Brigham Young Cougars, 15-12, 21-19, 13-15, 16-18, 24-22 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The match, which lasted three hours and 38 minutes, was the longest in NCAA history.

On UH's 12th match point, senior outside hitter Leah Karratti slammed her 23rd kill to end the marathon match.

"We were very fortunate to be apart of one of the greatest matches I've ever seen," head coach Dave Shoji said. "I don't think you're ever going to see another match like that."

Five Wahine had double-double performances, led by Karratti's 23 kills and 25 digs. Heather Bown led UH with 28 kills to go along with 10 digs and nine blocks. Heidi Ilustre added 21 kills and 15 digs, Nikki Hubbert, who dished out a career high 95 assists, also had 20 digs. Veronica Lima put together a 17 kill, 18 dig performance.

Both teams combined to break 11 WAC Tournament records, and one national record (UH: Most Points Scored-89).

The Wahine broke out to a 2-0 lead, by winning the first two stanzas. In the second game, the Cougars were called for a pair of rotation errors, enabling the Wahine to take a 19-18 lead.

In the fourth game, UH had a 14-11 lead and served six times for the match, before the Cougars closed out the set with a 7-2 run.

The last game featured 14 lead changes and both teams served for the match. The Cougars jumped out to a 7-4 lead before UH evened the game at 8. With the game tied at 10, BYU scored the next two points but the Wahine answered back with two more of their own. At 13-13, Karratti had one of her four block solos to give UH their first match point of the game, and seventh overall. The Cougars tied it again at 14 and eventually led 16-15, serving for their first match point. BYU again had match point at 17-16 and 22-21 but the Wahine would not give in. Karratti and setter Nikki Hubbert teamed for a block to tie the game at 22 and middle hitter Veronica Lima pounded her 17th kill for a 23-22 UH lead.

The win also gave the Wahine their first win over the Cougars in the WAC Tournament. The last two years, BYU defeated UH in the championship match.