Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball Dominates Queen’s Cup, Signaling Strong Season Ahead
The University of Hawai’i beach volleyball team kicked off its campaign at the Heineken Queen’s Cup with a resounding statement, sweeping both Concordia-Irvine and Chaminade 5-0 on Thursday. The decisive victories at Queen’s Beach demonstrate the team’s potential as they navigate the 2026 season.
Early Season Successes: A Look at the Matchups
After a nearly two-week break, the Rainbow Wahine (now 3-4) showed no signs of rust. The team secured its first sweep of the season against Concordia Irvine, winning four of the five matches in straight sets. The most competitive match of the day came from the top flight, where Julia Lawrenz and Izadora Stedile battled to a 15-10 win in the third set after splitting the first two sets 21-18.
The return of Sarah Burton and Caprice Lorenzo to the lineup proved to be a significant boost, with the duo securing a 21-11, 21-17 victory. The momentum continued into the match against Chaminade, which was completed in under 40 minutes, with UH winning all ten sets.
New Pairings Shine, Depth Demonstrated
The Chaminade match also marked the season debut of Ayva Moi and Jesse Mann at the No. 5 flight. The sophomore-senior pairing easily defeated their opponents 21-4, 21-9, showcasing the team’s depth, and versatility. Sydney Miller and Emily Heintzelman also demonstrated dominance, winning their match 21-19, 21-5 after a competitive first set.
Queen’s Cup Continues: What’s Next for the Rainbow Wahine?
The Rainbow Wahine will continue action at the Heineken Queen’s Cup on Friday, facing Saint Mary’s at 9:45 am and San Jose State at 12:15 pm. The team’s strong start positions them well for continued success in the tournament and throughout the season.
Thursday’s Results Recap
- Pepperdine 4, UNCW 1
- UH 5, Concordia-Irvine 0
- SMC 4, SJSU 1
- CUI 5, Chaminade 0
- Pepperdine 5, SJSU 0
- SMC 3, UNCW 2
- UH 5, Chaminade 0
Friday’s Schedule
- CUI vs. Pepperdine, 8:30 am
- UH vs. SMC, 9:45 am
- Chaminade vs. UNCW, 11:00 am
- UH vs. SJSU, 12:15 pm
- Pepperdine vs. SMC, 1:30 pm
- SJSU vs. Chaminade, 2:45 pm
- CUI vs. UNCW, 4:00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the Heineken Queen’s Cup matches being played?
A: All matches are being held at Queen’s Beach in Waikiki.
Q: What is the current record of the University of Hawai’i beach volleyball team?
A: As of March 6, 2026, the Rainbow Wahine have a record of 3-4.
Q: Who won the matches against Concordia-Irvine and Chaminade?
A: The University of Hawai’i defeated both Concordia-Irvine and Chaminade with a score of 5-0 in both matches.
Q: Which UH pairings secured wins in both matches?
A: Julia Lawrenz and Izadora Stedile, Sarah Burton and Caprice Lorenzo, Sydney Miller and Emily Heintzelman, Ayva Moi and Jesse Mann, and Kristen Serrano and Kiera Cornman all secured wins for UH.
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