Thrilling Regular Season Finale: Men’s Volleyball Falls to UCSB – A Recap from University of Hawai’i at Manoa Athletics

Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball Team Falls to UC Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The third-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team faced a tough loss against No. 18 UC Santa Barbara, ending their hopes for a shared Big West regular season title. The match concluded in straight sets with scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 27-25.

This defeat ended a remarkable 20-match winning streak for Hawai’i against the Gauchos, a streak that had lasted since 2017. It also marked their first loss in Santa Barbara since 2016. Head coach Charlie Wade will have to wait a bit longer to become the program’s all-time winningest coach, as the team fell short this time.

In this match, the Rainbow Warriors (24-5, 7-3 BWC) were without key players Kristian Titriyski and Louis Sakanoko. Their absence was notable on the court, where Adrien Roure and Finn Kearney stepped in, each contributing 11 kills. However, Hawai’i struggled defensively, allowing seven service aces, while UCSB maintained an impressive hitting percentage of .364.

Despite this setback, the Warriors secured the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Big West Championship. They will host the tournament from April 24-26 at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, with a bye into the quarterfinals. They will face either third-seeded UC Irvine or sixth-seeded CSUN on Friday at 7:00 p.m.

In this match, Hawai’i managed a hitting percentage of .267, which included four aces and seven blocks. The Gauchos were led by Geste Bianchi, who delivered a stellar performance with 21 kills, hitting at .450. Former Hawai’i setter Jack Walmer contributed with 38 assists for UCSB.

Clay Wieter rejoined the starting lineup for the first time in five weeks and scored four kills alongside his three digs and two blocks. Setter Tread Rosenthal provided support with 30 assists, six digs, and three kills.

The match showcased intense moments. In Set 1, UCSB quickly built a lead and held onto it throughout. Although UH made late attempts to close the gap, they couldn’t quite catch up. The second set followed a similar pattern, with the Gauchos dominating the pace. Set 3 was particularly thrilling, as both teams fought for control. With the score tight, Bianchi ultimately clinched the match with consecutive kills.

As the Warriors prepare for the Big West Championship, they will look to bounce back from this defeat and leverage their strengths. It remains crucial for them to adjust and get back on track in the playoffs.

For more information on college volleyball stats and standings, visit the NCAA official site.

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