Hawaii women’s volleyball: Wahine depth tested without Rasmussen

Depth was touted as one of the best attributes of the Hawaii women’s volleyball team in its success so far this season.

That depth figures to be put to the test for the duration of the absence of junior hitter Jolie Rasmussen, who injured her right ankle in Thursday night’s four-set win over West Virginia. She was described by UH as “doubtful” to play the remainder of the weekend.

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Friday night’s matchup with Utah Valley of the WAC offered the first sustained glimpse of how UH would fare without her. UH lapsed for portions of the second set and early in the third, but ultimately got by in a 25-20, 25-20, 20-25, 25-15 defeat of the Wolverines.

How did the depth hold up Friday? It could have been better.

After her season highs in kills (17) and digs (17) Hanna Hellvig spoke to #HawaiiWVB’s frustration at not being able to close out Utah Valley in 3, and the team’s response in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/65D66mNYNN

— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) September 14, 2019

Senior McKenna Ross started in Ramussen’s stead.

The other hitters to see primary playing time were Hanna Hellvig, Riley Wagoner and Brooke Van Sickle. Kirsten Sibley came off the bench in Set 3 as well with coach Robyn Ah Mow looking for a new look. Here’s how the hitters fared, although it should be noted UH got great contribution from middle Amber Igiede (nine kills, six blocks) as well.

“Hanna and Amber, they were the only ones putting the ball down,” mused Ah Mow afterward.

HANNA HELLVIG
The freshman from Stockholm picked up the slack when the Wahine needed it. Hellvig finished with a new season high of 17 kills — surpassing the 15 she put down against St. John’s — and a personal-best 17 digs for her first career double-double. She had just three errors on her 37 swings, hitting .378, and was the clear go-to option with Rasmussen out.

McKENNA ROSS
The fifth-year senior saw her first action of the season on Thursday against WVU (she’d just been medically cleared). This was her first sustained action in a while. She hit .000 (six kills, six errors) on 21 swings.

RILEY WAGONER
The freshman’s defense was on point most of the night (10 digs), but her offensive production was light with three kills and two errors on 16 swings (.062).

BROOKE VAN SICKLE
The other transfer from Oregon who takes swings received the second-most behind Hellvig (33). She put down 11 of them and had five errors, hitting .182.

KIRSTEN SIBLEY
The Bay Area native got in for much of Set 3 and put down one kill on six swings, with two errors (minus-.167).

UH takes on UCLA (5-2) for the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.