HONOLULU, HI – Battling with Hawaii Pacific through four close sets in Saturday's Pacific West Conference rematch, Menlo Women's Volleyball celebrated a 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 19-25, 25-23) victory in which seniors through freshman all stepped up during an emotional ending to the Oaks' 2025 campaign.

Oaks Highlights
-Four Oaks delivered double-digit kills including Maya Saole-Su'e, Janet Moala, & Dayjah McFadden all with 13 apiece
-Collecting 20+ assists for the sixth time in 2025, Ruby Santos goes for a match-high 23
-Janet Moala added four block assists to pace the field
-Six service aces for Fuka Kikuchi were the most by an Oak this season
-Emily Licon finished with 16 digs to lead all competitors

Menlo Controls Action Early, Fends Off HPU Late
After the lead changed hands during the opening set, Menlo had freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden and sophomore outside hitter/opposite Avery Krebill each send down kills as well as blocks back-to-back during a 6-1 run. The Sharks came as close as two points, but the Oaks stepped on the gas thereafter, securing five of the final six points with Krebill providing the kill exclamation mark at 25-19.

Six unanswered points were enough to permanently shift the second set as junior outside hitter Fuka Kikuchi and senior middle blocker Janet Moala each had kills in addition to their combined block. An ensuing 8-3 push that featured consecutive Kikuchi service aces as well as offensive and defensive highlights from senior middle blocker/opposite Maya Saole-Su'e helped maintain the advantage and ultimately Moala was responsible for the final three kills for the 25-22 victory.

Facing a 15-9 deficit in the third frame, Menlo rallied back with two more service aces from Kikuchi and soon multiple blocks by Moala and teammates had the Oaks within two at 19-17. HPU made its move, however, forcing a fourth set on a 25-19 final. From 16-16 in the fourth, the Oaks took five of the next seven points with Saole-Su'e powering down back-to-back kills assisted by junior setter/defensive specialist Ruby Santos. The Sharks made one last push and were nearly back even before Moala fittingly closed the night with a kill for the 25-23 triumph.

Season In Review
Menlo's second season with Head Coach Lesli Akeo at the helm saw the Oaks finish 9-16 overall and 4-8 in PacWest play, earning six victories inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion including a reverse sweep of Concordia, a major win over Biola, and an emotional Senior Night sweep of HPU.

The 2025 campaign was highlighted by multiple individual achievements as junior outside hitter Fuka Kikuchi was named PacWest Player of the Week and the senior tandem of middle blocker/opposite Maya Saole-Su'e and middle blocker Janet Moala became the first two Oaks ever with 200 block assists in their respective careers.