Le Jardin's Nive Tuileta puts up a set in the second period against HBA. Brien Ing | SL

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The Bulldogs celebrate after winning a set against Hawaii Baptist. Brien Ing | SL

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MAUNAWILI — Vistiting Hawaii Baptist turned in a scrappy effort against Le Jardin's attack, but the Bulldogs ultimately overpowered the Eagles in a 25-19, 25-16 win Saturday afternoon at the Charles B. Wang Gymnasium.

Six players registered kills for No. 8 Le Jardin as the Bulldogs picked up a key ILH Division I win to improve to 4-3 in the league standings.

It may not be the best record in among the eight ILH D1 teams, but it is the best record in Le Jardin's quadrant, which includes HBA (2-5), Maryknoll (2-5) and Sacred Hearts (0-7). The teams with the best record from each of the two quadrants will clinch two of the ILH's three berths in the state tournament.

"We knew coming in that this was going to be critical for us," said Le Jardin coach Lee Lamb. "We had some good things happen. Our defense has been much more disciplined today than it has been to date."

With the Bulldogs delivering great passes — led by junior libero Teia Piette's match-high 15 digs — Nive Tuileta (22 assists) was able to run a balanced and methodical attack to counteract the Eagles' strong defensive effort in the back row.

Freshman outside hitter Gennezia Hawkins had a match-high 10 kills, junior middle Alishya Roman had seven kills and freshman Sydnee Walker followed with five kills.

"HBA is a really good team. They gave us a really hard time with their amazing defense and they just pushed us to be a little smarter while we're playing," said Tuileta, who added 12 digs, four dumps and an ace. "They're a really good team so they really pushed us to be better than we though we would do."

Both teams traded points to start the match until a 5-0 run with Tuileta at the service line gave Le Jardin a 9-4 lead in the opening set. Pryce Ihu's quick attack from the middle capped the run and forced an HBA timeout.

The Bulldogs celebrate after winning a set against Hawaii Baptist. Brien Ing | SL    Purchase image

The Eagles were able to cut the deficit within two after back-to-back aces by Zoe Lorica — one of which came courtesy of a rotation error — but Le Jardin pulled away with quick hits by Roman to force another HBA timeout with the Bulldogs leading 15-10.

Hawkins' back row attack gave Le Jardin its largest lead of the opening frame, 19-13, before the Bulldogs locked up the set with the same point differential.

The Eagles scored the first two points of the second set and held their own until a 7-0 run gave the Bulldogs a 11-4 lead. Le Jardin continued to build to its lead, 16-8, but the Eagles would not go down quietly.

A 6-1 lead cut the deficit to 17-14 before Le Jardin closed out the match with an 8-2 run, with six points coming off HBA errors.

Courtney Arume led the Eagles in the loss with six kills and five digs. Five other players had kills for HBA, who had 15 players check into the match.