SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team hung on early but faded in a 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18) loss to the No. 4 BYU-Hawaii Seasiders on Friday night.

The Penguins (2-12/0-6 PacWest) led 15-13 early but a four-point swing by the Seasiders (8-3/5-0 PacWest) forced a Dominican timeout. The Penguins would get no closer than two points and dropped the set 25-20. Elizabeth Blake Solaita served the first 13 points in set two as the Penguins struggled to stop BYU-Hawaii's hitters, who had nine kills during the run. Valerie Larsen subbed in and set up a Samantha Rains kill to finally stop the bleeding. Larsen found Megan Callen for another kill and Susanna Pilkerton served five consecutive points but the Penguins were unable to play catch-up, dropping the set 25-15. Blake Solaita served five consecutive points in set three to put the Seasiders up 10-9 and erase a Dominican lead. The Penguins staved off match point three times but again were unable to make up for lost time, dropping the set 25-18.

Freshman Aimee Steinwand led the Penguins with 11 kills and 14 digs. Dominican hit the ball well in the first match with a .220 clip but hit .117 overall. Hannah Smith and Larsen split the time at setter. Smith finished with a dozen assists and Larsen matched a career-high with 10.

"Valerie went in and made a difference. She turned the team around (after the start in set two)," said Head Coach Gayle Stammer. "I think our middles were solid also. They've been consistently blocking well and tonight they also put the ball away consistently."

The Penguins racked up 10 total team blocks, let by Rains' four assists and Callen's two block solos and an assist. Pilkerton added three blcok assists.

Madeline Powelson, in her second game as the libero, had 13 digs with only one reception error.

"The good thing is that we're learning from our errors," said Stammer. "This match against a nationally-ranked team will help us the rest of the homestand against Chaminade and Hilo."

Dominican takes on Chaminade on Saturday, Oct. 4 in the Conlan Center and wraps up the six-match homestand against UH Hilo on Monday, Oct. 6. Both matches are at 7 p.m. and will be have live video and stats, availalbe at dominicanathletics.com/live.