Rachel Koehler scored six points in the final minutes on Thursday night. By Owen Main

Ariana Elegado scored 19 points and dished-out eight assists to lead Cal Poly to a 70-65 victory over Hawai’i Thursday night in the Big West Conference opener. Elegado looked downright Tony Parker-like, contributing the basket or an assist on nearly every successful Cal Poly possession.

Sophomore Hannah Gilbert dropped-in 18 points and grabbed six rebounds and freshman Dynn Leaupepe for 13 points and six rebounds.

The game was typical of recent games between these two teams. Neither team led by more than 4 points for the first 36-plus minutes of the game.

Briana Harris came off the bench for the Rainbow Wahine to make five 3-pointers en route to 15 points. Ashleigh Karaitiana paced Hawai’i down low with 9 points and 9 rebounds.’

With Cal Poly’s lead cut to two points and 4:06 remaining in the second half, Rachel Koehler scored six straight points in a span of less than two minutes. Koehler had come on for Taryn Garza, who fouled out with over five minutes to play. Up until the bucket at 4:06, Koehler had zero points and four fouls in the game. The sophomore from Montana scored six of Cal Poly’s final eight points to help secure the victory.

After a four-game losing streak in December, the Mustangs are now 2-0 in 2015, 1-0 in conference play, and 6-7 overall this season.

While Cal State Northridge was the overwhelming preseason favorite to win the Big West for the second straight season, Hawai’i and Cal Poly were picked to finish second and third respectively.

The Mustangs will visit Blue-Green rival UC Santa Barbara for a 2:00 PM game on Saturday in the Thunderdome.

Photos by Owen Main. To purchase photos or view on an iPhone or iPad, click here.

Raeann Greisen and company had their chances on Saturday, but Hawai’i was too much. By Owen Main

For a moment, Cal Poly looked like they had the momentum. The Mustangs volleyball team came out of the gates on Saturday night with sharp passes and an effective attack in the first set to stake a 1-0 lead on Hawai’i. The Rainbow Wahine are a legendary program for a reason, though, and they roared back to win the next three sets and the match at Mott Athletics Center.

The pivotal moment might have come in the second set, when the two teams were within a point or two most of the way. Down 16-15, Cal Poly gave up the ensuing three points and Hawai’i took control from there. The Rainbow Wahine led most of the third set by double digits and won the fourth by a score of 25-16.

Cal Poly finishes their home season Wednesday night at Mott Athletics Center against Central Coast rival UCSB. The match starts at 7:00 pm.

Photos by Owen Main

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