HONOLULU – After a 20-day layoff from action, the No. 6 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine water polo team (10-2) returns to competition this week, first taking on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Feb. 25, before heading to the UC Irvine Invitational, Feb. 27-28.

Opening up in Claremont, Calif., the Rainbow Wahine will face the Athenas of CMS on Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Matt M. Axelrood Pool in a single-match meeting, beginning play at 7:00 p.m. PT. The Rainbow Wahine are perfect in the series, holding an 8-0 advantage, dating back to the inaugural UH season in 1998. The teams have met in each of the past four seasons, combining for a 69-16 scoring advantage in favor of UH, including a 21-2 rout last February. The Athenas rank second in the Division III Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) poll and are 1-2 on the year.

The Rainbow Wahine will extend their trip to the mainland with a visit to the UC Irvine Invitational, a true bracketed tournament played in Irvine, Calif., split between Corona del Mar High School and the Anteater Aquatics Complex. The 16-team field, separated into four groups, is filled entirely by ranked teams – the top nine nationally ranked teams will all be in attendance, including UH.

Also competing in the tournament are: No. 8 Arizona State, No. 3 California, No. 25 Cal State Northridge (CSUN), No. 14 (t) Loyola Marymount, No. 6 (t) Michigan, No. 12 Pacific, No. 10 (t) San Jose State, No. 19 San Diego State, No. 1 Southern Cal, No. 4 Stanford, No. 5 UC Davis, No. 9 UC Irvine, No. 2 UCLA, No. 13 UC San Diego and No. 17 UC Santa Barbara.

The Rainbow Wahine have thus far met and defeated Cal (10-9), Michigan (11-10) and San Jose State (7-5) this season, taking one of only two losses on the year to No. 2 UCLA (8-13). A regular lineup for the UH schedule, the Rainbow Wahine hold a 189-196 overall record against the field, including a 9-9 mark last year.

The tournament's game total for the Rainbow Wahine will depend entirely upon the success of the team, with two guaranteed contests. UH will open up on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 11:45 a.m. PT (9:45 a.m. HT) against No. 12 Pacific at Corona del Mar. Last meeting in 2013, the Rainbow Wahine are a perfect 24-0 against the Tigers.

The Rainbow Wahine will play either the winner or loser between Cal and UCSB at 4:00 p.m. PT (2:00 p.m. HT) or 5:15 p.m. PT (3:15 p.m. HT) the same day.

Complete tournament information and match schedules can be found on the UC Irvine Invitational Tournament Page.

What: Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
When: Thursday, Feb. 25
Time: 7:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. HT)
Where: Matt M. Axelrood Pool, Claremont, Calif.
Video: CMS will provide live video at: http://bit.ly/1XPfzHz

What: UC Irvine Invitational
When: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 27-28
Where: Irvine, Calif. at both Corona del Mar High School and the Anteater Aquatics Complex

Match Schedule
Feb. 27
No. 12 Pacific – 11:45 a.m. PT (9:45 a.m. HT) 
TBD (either winner or loser between No. 3 California and No. 17 UC Santa Barbara – 4:00 p.m. PT (2:00 p.m. HT) or 5:15 p.m. PT (3:15 p.m. HT) 

Feb. 28
TBD – Further match opportunities will depend on win/loss record of team progressing through tournament bracket
Complete Tournament Information (including bracket)