Second-ranked Hawai'i dispatched UC Irvine in four sets (3-1) at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 behind a relentless attack that overwhelmed the Anteaters after the opening frame. UC Irvine, now 20-8, grabbed a set but couldn't sustain the pace as the Rainbow Warriors' depth and firepower took over the match's final three frames.
The Anteaters had no answer once Hawai'i found its rhythm, and the gap between a top-two program and a competitive but outmatched opponent revealed itself in the closing stretches. Every time UC Irvine tried to build momentum, the Rainbow Warriors answered with a run that quieted any threat before it could materialize.
For Hawai'i, the win reinforces its standing among the nation's elite heading deeper into postseason play. UC Irvine, still a 20-win team, will need to regroup quickly — the type of response that defines whether a season ends quietly or with a March surge.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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