Louisiana Tech's late push could not prevent 11th-ranked Hawai'i from sweeping the Techsters, 30-14, 30-18, 33-31, last night. The Western Athletic Conference volleyball match was played before 425 at Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, La.

The Rainbow Wahine (8-6, 2-0) blew through the first two games, hitting .436 behind setter Kanoe Kamana'o. Alicia Arnott launched nine of her 10 kills in the first game. Tara Hittle, who led UH with 12 kills, and Victoria Prince took over in the second.

"Arnott and Hittle had really nice nights," UH coach Dave Shoji said. "They both hit the ball through and around the block. They hit smart tonight and for a real high percentage (.400-plus). That's what we really need from our outsides."

LaTech's only lead the first two games came at 1-0 in the second. The final game was in sharp contrast. It was tied 16 times with the Techsters (12-5, 0-3) hanging tough behind junior Ambra Hayes, who finished with a match-high 17 kills.

Shannon Phillips' kill tied the third game at 17. Two bad passes and a Hayes' kill put the Techsters up, 20-17, and forced Hawai'i to call its first timeout.

UH freshman Jamie Houston hit long and another Hayes' kill gave LaTech six straight points.

The 'Bows bounced back behind transfer Sarah Mason, who started only the final game. She had three of her 11 kills and Hittle had two to help UH tie it at 27.

The Rainbow Wahine lost the next point but never trailed again. They had three match points. Brazilian Anielle DaSilva killed the first and Hittle served out on the second. Mason's kill gave Prince the serve at 31-30 and she served out. Mason buried her next two sets to end it.

"I knew they (the Techsters) weren't that bad," Shoji said. "They didn't play very well early. I knew they'd get better and we lost a little momentum. The good thing is, we came back.

"Our block got real loose again and our passing went in the middle of the game. Once those got taken care of we did better. We hit well the whole night."

The Rainbow Wahine hit .357 — 123 points over their average — to .086 for LaTech. They also won on the defensive end, outdigging the Techsters 65 to 51 and outblocking them 13 to 5.

Seniors Ashley Watanabe (16) and Susie Boogaard (14) combined for 30 digs. Boogaard was in on five blocks, as was Prince.

Hawai'i plays at New Mexico State tomorrow. The match will be broadcast live at approximately 2:45 p.m. HST. Shoji was told the Aggies, who are trying to break the NCAA attendance record, had sold 6,000 tickets.

"It will be a pretty hostile environment, be pretty challenging," Shoji said. "We need to win Saturday for us to say we are on our way to being a good road team. This didn't prove anything. We've got to win both nights."

The Rainbows have won their last 108 against WAC opponents, and last 32 on an opponent's home court.