HILO, Hawai'i — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team opened its first match in Hawai'i looking for the season sweep of UH Hilo but was split the season series with a 3-1 (25-22, 25-13, 25-20, 25-23) road loss on Friday.

Errors plaqued Dominican from the outset, with six of UH Hilo's first eight points coming on Dominican errors. After dropping set one 25-22, the Penguins fell behind after the Vulcans went on a 10-4 run and never recovered, dropping the second set 25-13. The Penguins' spotted UHH the first five points of set three but finally found a rhythm. Down 17-10, the Penguins pieced together six kills and took advantage of UHH errors to go on a nine-point run and take the lead, 19-17. One of Samantha Rains' seven kills gave the Penguins a 25-20 win and forced a fourth set. Dominican was forced to play from behind yet again but managed to tie the match and take a 23-20 lead. However, a pair of UHH kills and a service ace, combined with two more Dominican attack errors, saw the Vulcans finish on a 5-0 run to take the set, 25-23, and the match.

The Penguins had 17 kills from freshman Aimee Steinwand and 10 apiece from Susanna Pilkerton and Madeline Powelson. Dominican's eight team blocks, led by Rains' block solo and four block assists and three block assists from Pilkerton, kept Dominican in the match late.  Amanda Lee turned in a season-high 22 digs.

Dominican continues its three-match trip through Hawai'i on Saturday versus Hawai'i Pacific at 6 p.m. in Hawai'i.