The University of Hawai'i women's sand volleyball team wraps ups its regular season on the road with an all-important trip to Southern California. First up for the Rainbow Wahine is the Fourth Annual USA Volleyball Collegiate Challenge at Hermosa Beach on April 14-15.
 
Joining UH (2-2) in the Challenge field are USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and Long Beach State. The Challenge, which will take place at the Hermosa Beach Pier, will consist of two separate competition phases, both of which will go a long way in determining inclusion into the inaugural AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championship at the end of the month.
 
Saturday will consist of team competition with a series of head-to-head contests, as each of the school's top five pairs match up against each other with the results counting toward each school's win-loss record heading into the nationals.
 
Sunday's action will consist of a flighted pairs competition with gold and silver divisions (the top 16 teams will compete in the gold division). Pairs will get ranking points based on their finish that will also help them qualify for the pairs competitions of the AVCA Championships. Competition on Saturday begins at 8:00 am. PT and Sunday at 9 a.m. PT.
 
Following the completion of the Beach Collegiate Challenge, UH will remain in California to play a pair of dual matches at Long Beach State and versus Loyola Marymount on April 16.
 
The AVCA Championships will be held April 27-29 in Gulf Shores, Ala. consisting of both a team (four invites) and pairs championship (16 invites). Invitations to participate will be based on 2012 season results and tournament selections will be made by a committee.