TUCSON - Up two sets to zero, and later 8-2 in the fifth set, Arizona was unable to close out sixth-ranked Hawaii in the Wahine Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Rainbow Wahine earned their first victory of 2016, beating Arizona 3-2 (15-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-13).
 
Arizona dominated the host Wahine early, winning the first two sets in convincing fashion, but Hawaii stormed back to win the match, denying Arizona its first win of the season.
 
"It was our inability to play well enough at the end of games three, four and five," said head coach Dave Rubio. "We had the match in hand after the second set. We have to learn how to beat a good team and we haven't learned how to do that yet."
 
Kalei Mau filled up the stat sheet with 21 kills and 19 digs. Eleven of Mau's kills came in the second set as she willed UA to victory. McKenzie Jacobson posted 12 kills on .524 hitting. Jacobson added a team-high five blocks.
 
Laura Larson notched a season-high 19 digs.
 
After being outhit .393 - .069 in the first, the Rainbow Wahine rebounded to outhit Arizona .292 - .273 for the match. McKenna Granato posted 33 kills on .459 hitting.
 
Arizona scored 17 of the final 24 points of the first set, cruising to a 25-15 opening-frame victory over the Rainbow Wahine. Arizona outhit Hawaii .393 to .069 in the frame, much thanks to four blocks, three by McKenzie Jacobson. The junior middle blocker also had five kills on just seven swings in the set.
 
Hawaii was resilient, scoring eight of the first 10 points of the second set, but Kalei Mau took over. With Mau leading the way, Arizona ripped off a 12-2 run and went on to win the set 25-23. Mau had 11 kills in the second set.
 
The Rainbow Wahine responded with a 25-18 third set victory and cruised to a 25-19 victory in the fourth.
 
In the decisive fifth set, Arizona took the first four points and raced out to an 8-2 lead. But Hawaii stormed back, tying the fifth set at 9-9.
 
UP NEXT: Arizona hosts Pepperdine, SMU and Alabama State for the Wildcat Invitational, Sept. 2-3 as Arizona opens its home schedule.
 
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