Second-ranked Hawai'i dispatched UC Irvine 3-1 at Pauley Pavilion, using a relentless offensive attack to overcome the Anteaters' push and close out the match in four sets.
The Rainbow Warriors, now 28-5, controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, answering every UC Irvine surge with waves of their own. The Anteaters, who dropped to 20-8 on the season, showed fight — taking a set and trading blows — but could not string together enough stops to shift the momentum. Hawai'i's depth and efficiency at the net were the difference, wearing down an Irvine side that battled but couldn't find a consistent answer.
For the Anteaters, the focus turns to regrouping and sharpening their attack ahead of their next test. Hawai'i, meanwhile, keeps rolling toward the postseason looking every bit the contender their ranking suggests.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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