Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball Dominates NJIT in Straight Sets
The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team had a fantastic showing, sweeping NJIT in a non-conference match at Bankoh Arena. The scores were 25-17, 25-16, and 25-17, making it their second straight victory against the Highlanders.
The Rainbow Warriors (2-0) hardly broke a sweat. They won all six sets in two matches without letting their opponents score more than 17 points. The team hit an impressive .517 during the series and racked up 23 blocks and 11 aces.
Kristian Titriyski was a standout, leading the team with 11 kills, three aces, and four blocks. He was the only player from either side to hit double digits in kills both games. Adrien Roure added nine kills with an impressive hitting percentage of .615, while Louis Sakanoko finished with six kills in just seven attempts, registering no errors.
The Highlanders (0-2) struggled despite a solid effort from Andre Aleixo, who scored nine kills and blocked three shots. They managed six team blocks and two aces this time after failing to score in these categories in the previous match.
In the first set, UH jumped to a quick 10-3 lead thanks to a six-point run from Titriyski’s serve, including two aces. They doubled the Highlanders’ score at 18-9, finished the set strong with five blocks, and secured an eight-point victory.
Set two saw the Warriors taking charge with a 6-1 run for an 18-10 lead. Newcomer Magnus Hettervik even made his debut, serving an ace during the run. Hawai’i experienced a rare moment of perfection, hitting .778 with 14 kills and no attack errors.
They maintained their momentum into the third set, extending a three-point lead into a nine-point cushion with a 7-0 run off Finn Kearney’s serve.
Post-match, the Warriors celebrated with a ring ceremony, receiving their 2025 Big West Championship rings.
Next up for the Rainbow Warriors is a two-match series against No. 7 Loyola Chicago on January 8 and 9 at Bankoh Arena. They’ll also host an alumni match before the Friday game.
Stats and Trends
In recent years, men’s college volleyball has grown significantly in popularity. According to the NCAA, participation in men’s volleyball has increased by over 50% in the past decade, reflecting a broader interest in the sport across the country.
Social media reaction has been buzzing, with fans expressing excitement over the team’s strong performances and players’ impressive stats. It’s clear that their hard work is paying off and building momentum for their upcoming matches.
For more updates on college volleyball, you can check out the official NCAA volleyball page here.
