Hawaii men’s volleyball team triumphs over UC San Diego in four sets

The No. 5 Hawaii men’s volleyball team showcased a rollercoaster of a performance in their four-set victory over UC San Diego on Friday night. Despite some shaky moments, the Rainbow Warriors managed to secure a 25-20, 25-16, 12-25, 25-20 win at LionTree Arena in La Jolla, California.

With this win, Hawaii clinched the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big West championships in Honolulu. They will face the last-place team in the first round next Thursday, with their opponent being determined by the outcome of the Cal State Northridge vs. UC Santa Barbara match.

Opposite Alaka‘i Todd led the charge for UH with 15 kills, supported by Keoni Thiim and Louis Sakanoko with 11 and 10 kills respectively. Sakanoko also contributed three aces, while Thiim and libero ‘Eleu Choy tied for team-high digs with seven each.

After a strong start, Hawaii faced a setback in the third set, hitting negative-.135 and suffering their most lopsided set loss since 2013. However, Todd and Sakanoko rallied in the fourth set with a combined 13 kills to secure the victory.

In another surprising turn of events, first-place Long Beach State was swept by second-place UC Irvine, setting up a crucial rematch to determine the top seed. Hawaii will be eagerly awaiting the outcome as they prepare for their own playoff journey.

The Rainbow Warriors will have a chance to fine-tune their game in a rematch against UCSD on Saturday before heading into the postseason with confidence and determination.