#2 Hawai'i defeated UC Irvine 3-1 at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 behind a commanding performance that overwhelmed the Anteaters after a competitive opening stretch.
UC Irvine, now 20-8, grabbed a set but couldn't sustain against the Rainbow Warriors' relentless attack. Every time the Anteaters built momentum, Hawai'i answered with the kind of poise you expect from a #2-ranked squad playing its best volleyball at the right time of year.
For Hawai'i, this is a statement win that reinforces their status as a legitimate title contender. For UC Irvine, the loss stings, but 20 wins and a competitive showing against the nation's #2 team says this group can still do damage in the postseason — if they tighten up before the next serve.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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