OAKLAND, Calif. – Dominican women's volleyball fell 25-15, 25-13, 25-18 Friday night to Holy Names University at Tobin Gymnasium.

The shorthanded Penguins were led by 11 digs from seniors Braelyn Wakefield and Tiffany Wong, while freshman Ella Jimenez added four blocks. Saupuni Mavaega led the Hawks with 10 kills and six blocks while Lauren Sera added 11 kills and nine digs.

Both teams struggled in the opening minutes as errors accounted for four of the first five points of the match. Mavaega helped settle HNU as she found the floor on a kill and then added an ace to help build a 6-2 lead. Dominican kept things close as senior Mariah Ahid combined with junior Teddy Batinkova for a block to trim the deficit to three at 12-9. Mavaega turned the tide as she recorded back-to-back kills and then added a solo block to spark a 6-0 to triple the lead and they went on to take the first set 25-15.

Ayanna Barham helped the Hawks keep their momentum rolling in the second with a kill to start the set and then combined with Mavaega on a block as they built a 4-1 lead. Sera then capped a 5-0 run near the midway point of the set with a kill to make it 18-9 and the Hawks pulled away for the 2-0 lead in the match.

Both teams collected early blocks with Mavaega collecting two block assists in the opening minutes of the third set, while senior Kiana Pelton countered her with two block assists of her own with Dominican taking a 7-5 lead when Jimenez combined with Ahid for a block. Mavaega once again rallied HNU with a kill and a block as they retook the lead at 11-8 on a 4-0 run. Wong twice helped close the gap to one with a kill and an ace, but Sera found the floor three times on a run of her own to open a 19-14 lead. Dominican was unable to counter as the Hawks held on for the sweep.

Dominican will return home to the Conlan Center on Thursday to take on Fresno Pacific at 6 p.m. PST.