#2 Hawai'i (28-5) defeated UC Irvine (20-8) in four sets at Pauley Pavilion, using sustained attacking pressure to answer every Anteater push and close the door.
The Rainbow Warriors' ability to absorb momentum swings proved decisive. UC Irvine competed hard throughout, but each time the Anteaters threatened to build a run, Hawai'i responded with the kind of composed, championship-level volleyball that has defined their season. The gap wasn't effort — it was execution under pressure.
For Hawai'i, the win keeps them rolling at 28-5 and reinforces their case as a title contender as the postseason nears. UC Irvine, now 20-8, showed flashes but will need to tighten up and find another gear quickly if they want to make noise when the matches start mattering most.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
More from the newsroom