Hawai'i defeated UC Irvine 3-1 at Pauley Pavilion, pushing the Rainbow Warriors to 28-5 on the season. The difference was Hawai'i's ability to close — after UC Irvine grabbed a set, the Warriors answered with three straight to seal it.
UC Irvine, now 20-8, showed it could trade blows with the nation's elite, but the Warriors' consistency over the long haul proved decisive. Every time the Anteaters built momentum, Hawai'i found another gear.
For Hawai'i, the win reinforces their case as a title contender as the postseason approaches. For UC Irvine, it's a reminder of how thin the margin is at the top — and a measuring-stick loss they can learn from before May.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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