Second-ranked Hawai'i handled UC Irvine in four sets at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 on the strength of a lineup that simply wore the Anteaters down over the long haul.
UC Irvine, now 20-8, pushed early but couldn't sustain. The Rainbow Warriors' ability to extend rallies and finish sets — the defining margin in this one — kept the Anteaters chasing from the middle of the match onward. Pauley Pavilion gave the occasion a postseason feel, and Hawai'i played like a team comfortable on the biggest stages.
For UC Irvine, the record still reads 20 wins and a season worth respecting. But this loss sharpens the question of whether the Anteaters can raise their level against the sport's elite when it matters most. Hawai'i, meanwhile, keeps rolling — and looks every bit the contender the rankings suggest.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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