Hawaii men’s volleyball secures Big West split against UC Irvine

The Hawaii men’s volleyball team staged a dramatic turnaround against No. 5 UC Irvine at the Bren Events Center on Saturday night, defeating the Anteaters in four sets a night after getting swept by UCI. Freshman hitter Louis Sakanoko put down 16 kills to lead the way offensively while the UH block came to bear against UCI star Hilir Henno, who was limited to 13 kills on 48 swings.

Despite the win, UH was removed from consideration for the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Big West championships in Honolulu in two weeks because UCI owns the head-to-head tiebreaker based on sets won in Big West head-to-head matches. UH can finish as high as the No. 3 seed.

Coach Charlie Wade attributed the team’s success to a level of pride and hard work. He praised the team’s improved hitting and defense, stating, “It really was the first time in a few weeks that we hit for a pretty good number, defended well, and it was good to see.”

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with UH coming back from a set down and even saving set points to secure the victory. UH outblocked UCI 13-9, a significant improvement from the previous night.

The win was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. With the regular season coming to a close, UH looks to finish strong and secure a favorable seed in the upcoming championships. The victory over UC Irvine serves as a confidence booster for the Rainbow Warriors as they head into the final stretch of the season.