The University of Hawaii’s Rainbow Wahine volleyball team achieved a notable victory by sweeping Cal State Fullerton with scores of 25-19, 30-28, and 25-14 on March 15, 2024, at the Bankoh Arena in the Stan Sheriff Center. This win marks an important milestone as Hawaii improves its record to 8-13 overall and 4-6 in the Big West Conference, positioning them in a tie for sixth place with UC Irvine.
Cha’lei Reid played a pivotal role in the match, delivering the final three kills in the second set and contributing seven of her match-high 14 kills in the third set. Her performance was instrumental in securing the victory for the Rainbow Wahine. Alongside Reid, Bri Gunderson added 13 kills, while Victoria Leyva stood out defensively with a match-high 20 digs.
Hawaii showcased a dominant performance in terms of defense, outdigging the Titans 62 to 42. Miliana Sylvester also made significant contributions with nine kills, including the decisive match-winner, and recorded three blocks. Adrianna Arquette led the team in assists with a total of 37, facilitating the Rainbow Wahine’s offensive flow throughout the match.
On the opposing side, Cal State Fullerton’s Marisa Nakata, a Hawaii Baptist alumna, led her team with ten digs and five kills. The Titans, now holding a record of 8-14 and 2-8 in the conference, struggled to keep pace with Hawaii’s aggressive play.
Historically, Hawaii has maintained an impressive track record against Cal State Fullerton, having won all 52 meetings between these two programs. This long-standing dominance underscores the competitive nature of the Big West Conference.
Looking ahead, the Rainbow Wahine will be traveling for their next two matches, starting with a contest against UC Davis on March 21, 2024. As the season progresses, the team will aim to build on this momentum and improve their standings in the conference.
