Second-ranked Hawai'i dispatched UC Irvine 3-1 at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 behind a relentless attacking display that overwhelmed the Anteaters' defense across four sets.
UC Irvine, now 20-8, pushed early but couldn't sustain it. The Rainbow Warriors' ability to string together runs at the service line and finish in transition was the difference — once Hawai'i found its rhythm, the Anteaters had no answer for the sustained pressure.
For Hawai'i, the win reinforces their case as a title contender heading into the postseason. The Anteaters, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly — their 20-win season is no fluke, but closing out against the nation's elite remains the next hurdle.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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