Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball Dominates Long Beach State, Eyes UC Santa Barbara Showdown
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night, sweeping No. 2 Long Beach State in straight sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-20). This victory marks the Rainbow Warriors’ first series sweep over the Beach in Long Beach since 2015 and the third under head coach Charlie Wade.
Sakanoko Shines, Warriors’ Offense Clicks
Louis Sakanoko led the charge for Hawai’i, recording a team-high 15 kills with an impressive .619 hitting percentage. Kristian Titriyski added 11 kills, hitting at a .400 clip, and contributed two service aces. The Warriors’ offensive efficiency was orchestrated by setter Tread Rosenthal, who dished out 33 assists and added four blocks and three kills.
Hawai’i finished the match with a remarkable .437 team hitting percentage, showcasing a balanced and effective attack. Defensively, Trevell Jordan and Justin Todd combined for seven blocks, contributing to UH’s 8.5 to 7.0 advantage in blocking over Long Beach State.
A Tight Second Set and Decisive Third
While the first set was a decisive victory for Hawai’i, the second set proved to be a more competitive affair, featuring 15 ties and five lead changes. The Warriors rallied from an early deficit, ultimately securing the set with a strong finish fueled by consecutive kills from Sakanoko and a triple block from Sakanoko, Titriyski, and Todd.
The third set saw Hawai’i seize control early, capitalizing on strong blocking and an ace from Sakanoko. A four-point run, highlighted by a solo block from Jordan, sealed the victory for the Rainbow Warriors.
Looking Ahead: A Big West Series with UC Santa Barbara
The Rainbow Warriors (19-3, 2-0 BWC) will return to Honolulu to face UC Santa Barbara in a two-match Big West series on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The first match is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. HT and will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the next Hawai’i men’s volleyball match? The next match is against UC Santa Barbara on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. HT.
- Where will the Hawai’i vs. UC Santa Barbara matches be played? The matches will be played at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
- Where can I watch the Hawai’i vs. UC Santa Barbara matches? The matches will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports.
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Stay updated on Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball by visiting HawaiiAthletics.com.
