Hawaii men's volleyball blasts Stanford in 2-match road set

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors men’s volleyball team is demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity, continuing to excel on the court despite challenges encountered during their road trips. The No. 3 ranked team secured sweeps against No. 18 Stanford on both Friday and Saturday, with Saturday’s match ending 25-17, 25-16, 25-13.

Road Trip Troubles

This success comes after the team experienced a setback earlier in the week when gear, equipment, and valuables were stolen from a team van in Northern California during a meal stop. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported the incident as a “smash-and-grab” operation, though some stolen items were later recovered.

Did You Know? The team previously faced logistical difficulties during a road trip to Pennsylvania two weeks prior, contending with a winter storm.

This isn’t the first time the team has navigated difficulties on the road. Just two weeks ago, the Rainbow Warriors overcame significant logistical hardships caused by a winter storm during a trip to Pennsylvania, still managing to sweep their matches against Saint Francis and Penn State.

Key Performances

Despite the absence of Kristian Titriyski, who has now missed seven consecutive matches due to injury, opposite Kainoa Wade has been a consistent performer. Wade recorded a combined 27 kills with only three errors across the two matches against Stanford, achieving a .667 hitting percentage.

Coach Charlie Wade anticipated a tough series, stating before the trip that Stanford would “definitely have all of our attention” following the Cardinal’s win against Hawaii in Honolulu last year. The ‘Bows’ offensive efficiency was notable, hitting .474 over the two matches, facilitated by setter Tread Rosenthal.

Expert Insight: The ability of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to maintain focus and performance despite external challenges—such as theft and inclement weather—highlights a strong team culture and mental fortitude.

Looking Ahead

UH (12-1) now has a week off before hosting No. 7 BYU in two matches on February 25th, and 27th. These matches were scheduled after the cancellation of the NIL Tournament in Anaheim, California. Coach Wade expressed satisfaction with the addition of BYU to the schedule, noting their strong performance and the historical significance of the rivalry.

The scheduling change was facilitated by collaboration between Hawaii Athletic Director Matt Elliott and Brian Santiago, the AD at BYU, a level of cooperation Coach Wade noted is uncommon in men’s volleyball.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score of Saturday’s match against Stanford?

The final score of Saturday’s match was 25-17, 25-16, 25-13 in favour of Hawaii.

Has Kristian Titriyski returned to play?

No, Kristian Titriyski has missed the last seven matches and was absent during the series against Stanford.

Who facilitated the scheduling of the matches against BYU?

Hawaii Athletic Director Matt Elliott and Brian Santiago, the AD at BYU, collaborated to arrange the matches.

How will the team’s ability to overcome off-court challenges impact their performance as the season progresses?

Hawaii men’s volleyball blasts Stanford in 2-match road set