Hawai’i Women’s Volleyball Achieves Third Straight Sweep Against Grand Canyon
PHOENIX — The University of Hawai’i’s women’s volleyball team continues its impressive performance in the Mountain West Conference after securing a convincing victory over Grand Canyon University. The Rainbow Wahine triumphed with set scores of 25-23, 25-23, and 25-20 at the Global Credit Union Arena, marking their third consecutive match win by sweep.
With this victory, Hawai’i improved its conference record to 3-0 and elevated its overall season record to 11-3, the best start for the program since 2019.
Player Highlights
Senior outside hitter Panna Ratkai led her team offensively by recording 14 kills and achieving her fifth double-double of the season with 11 digs. Additionally, she contributed two service aces.
Miliana Sylvester, playing as a middle blocker, had a standout performance with 11 kills from 17 attempts, resulting in an impressive hitting percentage of .529. Adrianna Arquette, the team’s setter, was pivotal with 30 assists and added to her stats with seven digs, two kills, and a season-best of three service aces.
Other contributions included outside hitter Cha’lei Reid, who added six kills—one being the decisive point of the match—and libero Victoria Leyva, who anchored the defense with a total of 18 digs. Moreover, Tali Hakas and freshman Cameron Holcomb each reached new personal highs with 15 and 11 digs, respectively.
Match Dynamics
Throughout the match, Hawai’i displayed resilience by limiting Grand Canyon to a .179 hitting percentage while hitting .165 as a team. Hawai’i’s defense came through with five total blocks, a significant contributing factor in securing the victory, especially noted in the third set.
The Rainbow Wahine showcased their commanding presence by executing a 4-0 run that established a lead in the first set. In the second set, after trading points back and forth, UH capitalized on a four-point surge, allowing them to hold a 2-0 match advantage at intermission.
Despite the tight competition, Hawai’i demonstrated its strength in the third set, battling through 10 ties. A pivotal moment came as Arquette delivered back-to-back aces during a crucial run, setting the stage for the final stretches of the match where the Rainbow Wahine ultimately sealed their victory.
Upcoming Matches
The two teams will conclude their series on Saturday, with the next match scheduled for 6:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time (3:00 P.M. Hawai’i Time) at the Global Credit Union Arena.
Stay connected with Hawai’i Athletics! Fans can catch over 200 live games across various sports on the newly launched MW+. For those looking to support student-athletes through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, further details are available through official channels.
