#2 Hawai'i took down UC Irvine in four sets (3-1) at Pauley Pavilion, improving to 28-5 while dropping the Anteaters to 20-8. The difference was simple: every time UC Irvine threatened to build momentum, Hawai'i had an answer — and the Anteaters never strung together enough sustained pressure to flip the match.
That's what a #2 team does. The Rainbow Warriors absorbed UC Irvine's best swings and kept coming, a hallmark of a squad that has spent the entire season sharpening its case as a legitimate national title contender.
For Hawai'i, this is the kind of clean, complete performance that sends a message to the rest of the field heading into the postseason. UC Irvine remains a dangerous opponent, but the Anteaters will need to tighten up in the clutch moments before tournament time arrives.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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