Hawaii sends UC Irvine to stage Big West championship showdown against Long Beach State

Fans inside SimpliFi Arena let loose a deafening roar as UC Irvine served out on match point, a mix of pure jubilation and relief echoing through Stan Sheriff Center. The pressure was palpable in this do-or-die semi-final, with both teams ranked Top 5 in the country. Seizing the advantage of an opening-round bye and a rambunctious home crowd, second-seeded Hawaii snatched a tight victory over third-seeded Anteaters, taking the match 3-1[2].

In this cutthroat tournament, the environment was electric. With a crowd of 7,209 pumping adrenaline into the air, the Anteaters and Rainbow Warriors battled it out[1]. Adrien Roure was a force for Hawaii, setting a career-high with 18 kills, and Finn Kearney added 10 more to the tally[2]. Hawaii improved to 25-5 and moved on to play No. 1 seed Long Beach State tonight at 7 PM, marking the fourth time in seven Big West tournaments that these teams face off in the final[2].

In the trenches, the match wasn't always pretty, with offense struggling early and an error percentage for both teams that left much to be desired for the Rainbow Warriors. Still, they knew how to close out sets when needed, capitalizing on timing and smart plays to come out on top[2].

Data from the night showed Hawaii hitting .306 and outblocking the Anteaters 14.5 to 6.5, while UC Irvine struggled with a .234 hitting percentage and, despite managing 12 aces, still got outclassed on the block by their opponents[2].

Leading the charge for UC Irvine was Nolan Flexen, who notched 15 kills, and senior Hilir Henno, who had 24 kills in their last meeting, was contained to only 9 kills with a .111 hitting percentage[2]. However, Henno and his squad did manage to score impressive digs and aces, which kept them in the game.

Following a grueling 19-hour turnaround and an exhausting five-set win over Cal State Northridge, the pressure was high for the Anteaters. And while the loss likely eliminates them from NCAA Tournament consideration, Coach David Kniffin feels his team deserves another chance[2].

In the spectacle of the Big West, the Gauntlet is unforgiving. For the Rainbow Warriors, this weekend was all about treating each game as a must-win. Coach Charlie Wade said, "We've got to be in it and we've got to win it to make sure we're in."[2]

Throwing their hats into the ring to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the Warriors certainly played with heart, steeling themselves in the pivotal sets against the Anteaters. Hawaii took turns winning a set, edging ahead in the all-important third set, holding a 17-11 lead after a powerful kill from Justin Todd[3].

The Anteaters scrapped their way back, tying it at 19-all on Henno's fourth ace[3], but the Warriors rallied, with versatile play from setter Tread Rosenthal and Kurt Nusterer[3]. UH fought back to win the set, gaining momentum with a 3-point lead that they carried into the deciding fourth set[3].

Both teams traded points, engaging in a tense battle that went down to the wire[3]. Eventually, a UCI service error ended the game, securing Hawaii's third home win over the Anteaters this season[3]. Roure shone, hitting .636 in the final set, empowering Hawaii to victory[3].

As the Rainbow Warriors prepare to face Long Beach State tonight, Previous AVCA National Player of the Year Hilir Henno expressed his admiration for the chaos that envelopes Hawaii's arena:

"Being here nine times, every single time it has been exceptional. Whether it was full or not, the atmosphere is crazy. You go to the court and you just hear everybody shouting. If you're not experienced, you just get scared. Every single time was very memorable.[3]"

Meanwhile, Long Beach State cruised to a 3-0 victory over UC San Diego, booking their spot in the final for a rematch with Hawaii[1]. Freshman opposite hitter Alex Kandev delivered with a match-high 14 kills, while the Beach hit an impressive .400 in the match and notched six aces[1].

Competing tonight for the league championship and an automatic berth, the Warriors look set to go the distance, eager to earn their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Here's to another exciting battle in the world of college volleyball.

Enrichment Data:- Hawaii hit .306, outblocked UC Irvine 14.5 to 6.5, and won 25-21, 15-25, 25-21, 25-23.- Key players in the match included Adrien Roure, who set a career-high 18 kills, and Nolan Flexen, who recorded 15 kills for UC Irvine.- Coach David Kniffin feels that his team was deserving of another opportunity in the NCAA Tournament.- Long Beach State cruised to a 25-18, 25-23, 25-17 victory over UC San Diego, with freshman opposite hitter Alex Kandev leading the charge with match-high 14 kills.- Skyler Varga, Ben Braun, and DiAeris McRaven had solid showings for Long Beach State in their win.

References:[1] Washington Post (2023, April 7). No. 1 Long Beach State sweeps past UC San Diego in Big West Men's Volleyball Championship. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/07/long-beach-state-volleyball-college/[2] Star-Advertiser (2023, April 8). No. 1 Long Beach State advances to Big West final with sweep over UC San Diego. https://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/20230408/no_1_long_beach_state_advances_to_big_west_final_with_sweep_over_uc_san_diego.html[3] CSNUltimate (2023, April 7). UC Irvine vs Hawaii - Liveblog - Big West Tournament 2023. https://csnultimate.com/liveblogs/uc-irvine-vs-hawaii-liveblog-big-west-tournament-2023

Despite UC Irvine's 12 aces in the game, they were still outclassed on the block by Hawaii, who outblocked them 14.5 to 6.5.
In the NCAA's West region, Hawaii's impressive performance in the Big West tournament, marked by a .306 hitting percentage and their blocking advantage, could potentially earn them a berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Adrien Roure, a key player for Hawaii, set a career-high with 18 kills in their hard-fought victory over UC Irvine, showcasing his valuable contribution to the team's success in the tournament.