HONOLULU – The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team faced a tough challenge against No. 7 Loyola Chicago, losing the match in four sets at Bankoh Arena. This series ended with scores of 25-23, 25-22, 24-26, and 29-27.
Hawaii, ranked second, fought back after being down two sets. They rallied from a seven-point deficit in the third set and saved five match points in the fourth. However, Loyola clinched the win with a decisive block.
During the match, Hawaii struggled with 25 attack errors, while also allowing eight service aces and 15.5 blocks. This pattern mirrored their previous series against Loyola, where Hawaii also took the first match before losing the second.
Top Performers
- Louis Sakanoko shone with his first career double-double: 18 kills and 12 digs, plus two aces.
- Kristian Titriyski added 16 kills, and Kainoa Wade contributed four kills and an ace before switching in.
- Adrien Roure had nine kills in an error-free performance and added nine digs.
- Tread Rosenthal delivered 50 assists along with seven digs.
Loyola’s Aleksandar Sosa led the Ramblers with 19 kills, supported by setter Ryan McElligott, who contributed five aces.
In Set 1, Loyola jumped ahead after an 8-0 run, thanks to McElligott’s serves. Though Hawaii tied it late in the set, they couldn’t close it out. By Set 2, the Ramblers pulled ahead again after trailing at one point.
Set 3 saw Hawaii come back strong, scoring four straight points to steal the game, showing character and resilience. In a tense fourth set, Hawaii led at times, but missed opportunities allowed Loyola to regain control and finish the match.
Next, the Warriors will play doubleheaders against Roberts Wesleyan and Rockhurst on January 14 and 16.
The match reflects ongoing trends in collegiate volleyball, where grit and strategy are often the defining factors in close matches. This season has shown that even top teams can have unpredictable outcomes, making every game essential.
For a comprehensive look at volleyball stats, visit NCAA Volleyball Statistics for detailed insights.
