Hawaii arranges UC Irvine for a Big West championship match against Long Beach State
Fans erupted in a cacophony of cheers at SimpliFi Arena as UC Irvine scrambled to keep pace with second-seeded Hawaii in the Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship semifinal. A thrilling back-and-forth match ensued, but Hawaii ultimately emerged victorious, securing their spot in the championship with a hard-fought 25-21, 15-25, 25-21, 25-23 victory[1].
The buzzing atmosphere created by a boisterous home crowd seemed to give Hawaii an edge, while the Anteaters, ranked third, struggled to regain their footing after an exhausting 19-hour turnaround following their marathon five-set opening round win[2]. Adrien Roure, a dynamic freshman, led the charge for Hawaii with a career-high 18 kills, eight of which came in the nail-biting decisive set. Finn Kearney added 10 kills to the total[1].
The stats reveal that Hawaii was more efficient on the attack, posting a .306 hitting percentage to UC Irvine's .234. The Rainbow Warriors also had the advantage at the net, outblocking their opponents 14.5-6.5. Nolan Flexen powered through for the Anteaters, tallying 15 kills[1]. Despite a strong effort from their top players, Hilir Henno was held to nine kills and hit just .111[1]. Henno had six of UC Irvine's 12 aces during the match, but it wasn't quite enough to keep the momentum in their favor[1].
There were moments where the Anteaters fought back valiantly. Down 17-11 in set three, they rallied with eight of the next ten points to tie things up at 19-all. However, kills from Tread Rosenthal and Kurt Nusterer helped Hawaii pull away and secure the set. The fourth set was an exercise in tight Final 10 points, with both teams displaying impressive resilience[1]. Ultimately, a UCI service error sealed the spectacular win for Hawaii[1].
With the win, Charlie Wade notched a record-breaking third victory over UC Irvine in the season and set himself up for a potentially historic run, led by Roure's impressive play[1]. Henry, the reigning AVCA National Player of the Year, couldn't help but express appreciation for the passionate atmosphere in Hawaii's arena, where he'd played nine times over the course of his career[6]. As Hawaii prepares to face Long Beach State in the final, the team remains focused and determined to secure a spot in the Big West title and another opportunity for NCAA Tournament consideration[2].
- Despite a valiant comeback attempt in set three by UC Irvine, they were outblocked by Hawaii, a fact that contributed to their defeat in the Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship semifinal.
- In the thrilling match, Hawaii's Nolan Flexen tallied 15 kills, while Adrien Roure, a dynamic freshman, led the team with a career-high 18 kills, including eight in the decisive set.
- As they prepare to face Long Beach State in the final, Hawaii remains determined to secure a spot in the Big West title and another opportunity for NCAA Tournament consideration, a pursuit fueled by the support of their passionate home crowd.
