No. 2 Hawai'i defeated UC Irvine in four sets at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 while handing the Anteaters (20-8) a tough road loss. The Rainbow Warriors' ability to win the long rallies and control momentum swings proved to be the difference, pulling away after Irvine pushed to extend the match.
UC Irvine showed fight, taking one set and forcing Hawai'i to earn every point. But the Warriors' depth and consistency across the rotation wore down the Anteaters, who couldn't string together enough sideouts to flip the pressure back.
For Hawai'i, it's another statement win in a season full of them — a 28-5 record that signals this group is peaking at the right time. For UC Irvine, the 20-8 mark still reflects a quality team, but the Anteaters will need to clean up the margins before the postseason grind begins.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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