LOS ANGELES (HawaiiNewsNow) – A day after beating longtime rivals Long Beach State in the NCAA national semifinals, the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team isn’t taking a day of rest.
Saturday night’s thrilling four-set victory over the Beach punched their ticket for Monday’s championship match against Big West rival the University of California, Irvine.
‘Bows opposite attacker Kainoa Wade said they are “ready for the moment.”
“Obviously, there’s no taking the foot off the pedal here,” Wade said. “We got the national championship (Monday) night. This is something everyone on this team has dreamed of since we were little kids. This is why we play volleyball. We’re going to rise to the occasion.”
Outside hitter Finn Kearney said this year’s team is special, a different team compared to last year.
“We’re a lot better, and we’re ready to go,” he said.
Head coach Charile Wade agreed.
“They are playing a lot better,” he said. “Adding Brink into the lineup has really kind of rounded them out. They’re playing a lot better than they were when we played (UCI) in March.”
Charlie Wade also had an update on setter Trent Rosenthal after he fell on a play and injured his leg during the match.
The Big West Conference Player of the Year played through the pain, showcasing his grit and determination.
“I mean, he’s moving around pretty good,” he said. “Tough guy and a serious competitor, so I think (he’ll) be ready to go.”
UH is once again expected to have a large crowd at Monday’s championship match, with many traveling from Hawaii and other parts of the continental U.S. to cheer on the ‘Bows.
Jamie and Wendy Hobean are fans from Arizona who attended UH Manoa and came out in support of the team during Saturday’s match.
“Love everything about Hawaii volleyball, Jamie said.
“And our 16-year-old, he follows it really closely. Go ‘Bows!” Wendy said.
Kealii Torco is one of the many super fans in California to support the ‘Bows and said, “This team deserves it.”
“They’re great with us,” Torco said. “We love them as family, and it’s an enormous sense of pride. We’re representing not only a school but a state and our people.”
About 3,000 people were outside of the Pauley Pavilion cheering on the ‘Bows Saturday, and Kainoa Wade said it was “awesome” and a “great honor” to be a part of.
“It’s not even our venue, you know, they travel with us,” he said. “I carry such a strong sense of pride from being from Hawaii. I’ve seen like all these teams go through the same thing, and now, last night, just like showed me, like, wow, I’m really a part of it now. So it’s, it’s a great honor.”
The ‘Bows will now try for their first national title since 2022, on Monday at Pauley Pavilion on ESPN 2 at 1 p.m. Hawaii time.
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