HONOLULU – The No. 3 University of Hawai'i beach volleyball team gets the 2016 season underway this week, opening on the road for the first time at the Pepperdine Kickoff Tournament March 5-6. UH will play a pair of dual matches on each day.
 
On Saturday, UH will face preseason No. 1 USC at 10:15 a.m. PT (8:15 a.m. HT) then play No. 7 UCLA at 2:00 p.m. PT (12:00 p.m. HT). The 'Bows will begin Sunday's competition against two-time national champion and host Pepperdine at 9:00 a.m. PT (7:00 a.m. HT) and close the tournament against Long Beach State at 11:30 a.m. PT (9:30 a.m. HT).
 
Head Coach Jeff Hall begins his second year as head of the beach volleyball program which now enters the season as a full-fledge NCAA collegiate sport. With 13 players returning from the 2015 squad, including AVCA All-American Nikki Taylor and veteran Katie Spieler, the 'Bows hope to make a splash this season, one that also features the first-ever Big West Conference tournament.

Quick Set
What: 2016 Pepperdine Kickoff Tournament
Who: UH, USC, Pepperdine, Long Beach State
When: March 5-6
Where: Zuma Beach, Calif.