Hawaii Men’s Volleyball Secures Big West Championship Title
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors clinched their fourth Big West championship in a thrilling final against Long Beach State on Saturday evening at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, securing an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. In front of a raucous crowd of 8,540, Hawaii triumphed 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, marking their second victory over the top-ranked team in the nation within two weeks.
Freshman opposite Finn Kearney was a standout for the Warriors, contributing 14 kills, while fellow freshman outside hitter Adrien Roure added 11 kills and showcased an impressive .579 hitting percentage. Hawaii demonstrated a dominant performance early in the match, hitting .540 over the first two sets to establish a 2-0 lead.
In a dramatic comeback, the Warriors initially trailed in the fourth set, facing a deficit of 12-6. However, a surge led by Louis Sakanoko, who fired off two aces, propelled Hawaii to a 7-1 run, allowing them to tie the match at 20-20. With the tension mounting, a series of errors from Long Beach State and crucial aces from Sakanoko brought the Warriors to match point. A final clever play by setter Tread Rosenthal ended the match, securing Hawaii’s victory.
The Rainbow Warriors, now 26-5, have proven their prowess in the Big West, winning their last four tournament finals. Fans eagerly await the NCAA Tournament selection show on Sunday at 10 a.m. on NCAA.com to discover Hawaii’s seed for the upcoming tournament, scheduled for May 8-12 in Columbus, Ohio.
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