HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team (6-5) begins defense of its back-to-back Big West crowns this week as the 'Bows open their conference schedule with UC Irvine on Friday, Sept. 22 and UC Davis on Saturday, Sept. 23 with first serve slated for 7:00 p.m. on both nights. Hawai'i is coming off a pair of dominant sweeps over Northern Arizona last week. The Anteaters are tops in the league with a 12-1 record coming into this week—including winning their last six straight, the last five coming in straight sets. UC Davis has also been on a roll, winning their last three-straight matches at the Maverick Classic in Arlington, Texas where they defeated UT Arlington, Lamar and Houston Baptist.
 
The Rainbow Wahine got off to a slow start this season, but have shown a lot of growth while gaining momentum and confidence leading up to the Big West opener, including winning their last four straight matches. Junior outside hitter McKenna Granato leads the UH offense with 164 total kills averaging 4.10 per set. She has recorded six double-digit kill matches—including a season high 29 against then No. 13 UCLA.
 
Senior middle hitter Emily Maglio has been a consistent force for the 'Bows with a team-high 62 blocks (seven solo) and .368 hitting percentage. She has tallied seven double-digit kill matches—including in four of the last five. She posted a career-high 18 kills against Baylor (9/8) and a season-high eight blocks against then No. 22 Utah.
 
Sophomore setter Norene Iosia has dished out 421 assists averaging 10.02 per set. She leads the 'Bows with seven double-doubles and has a team-high 20 service aces. Iosia is also second on the team with 120 digs.
 
The anchor on the defense has been senior libero Savanah Kahakai who moved past former UH great Teee Williams into No. 7 in Hawai'i's career dig record book. This season she has a team-high 164 digs (3.90 per set) to go with 12 aces and 35 assists.  Kahakai has seven double-digit dig matches this year—including a career-high 28 against then No. 13 UCLA (8/27).
 
Match 12 Information
WHO: Hawai'i (6-5, 0-0 Big West) vs. UC Irvine (12-1, 0-0 Big West)
WHEN: Friday, September 22, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center - Honolulu, O'ahu (10,300)
PROMOTIONS:  First Hawaiian Bank is the sponsor on Friday and will award cash and gift cards to the winner of the "Lip Sync Battle" contest at intermission. Fans can register to participate at the sports marketing table located at Gate A. There will also be an autograph session following the Friday night match.
TELEVISION: Spectrum Sports will televise both of UH's matches this week with Kanoa Leahey handling the play-by-play and Chris McLachlin doing the color commentating for all three matches. Scott Robbs, Lisa Strand Ma'a and Ryan Kalei Tsuji will be the on-air talent for the pre- and post-game shows. Fans in Hawai'i can watch on Spectrum OC16  channels 12 and 1012 (HD).
STREAMING VIDEO: UH's matches will be streamed live for mainland fans only. Go to HawaiiAthletics.com women's volleyball schedule for links.
RADIO: ESPN 1420 am will air Friday's match with Tiff Wells handling the broadcasts.
AUDIO WEBCAST: www.espn1420am.com
LIVE STATS: Livestats for all of this week's matches will be available at HawaiiAthlectics.com
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased at Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, online at HawaiiAthletics.com, or by phone at (808) 944-2697 (BOWS).
SERIES HISTORY: UH holds a 36-0 record against UC Irvine. Last year, UH swept the Anteaters. UH held off UCI in Honolulu in four sets, 25-14, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18. In Irvine, UH defeated UCI, 25-14, 25-13, 25-18.

Match 13 Information
WHO: Hawai'i (6-5, 0-0 Big West) vs. UC Davis (8-5, 0-0 Big West)
WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center - Honolulu, O'ahu (10,300)
PROMOTIONS: California Hotel & Casino is the sponsor on Saturday and will award a Vacations Hawaii trip for two to the newly renovated California Hotel & Casino to the winner of the "Shaka Nene" contest at intermission. Sign up for your chance to win at the sports marketing table at Gate A. 
TELEVISION: Spectrum Sports will televise both of UH's matches this week with Kanoa Leahey handling the play-by-play and Chris McLachlin doing the color commentating for all three matches. Scott Robbs, Lisa Strand Ma'a and Ryan Kalei Tsuji will be the on-air talent for the pre- and post-game shows. Fans in Hawai'i can watch on Spectrum OC16  channels 12 and 1012 (HD).
STREAMING VIDEO: UH's matches will be streamed live for mainland fans only. Go to HawaiiAthletics.com women's volleyball schedule for links.
RADIO: NBC Sports Radio 1500 am will air Saturday's match this week with Tiff Wells handling the broadcasts.
AUDIO WEBCAST: www.nbcsportsradiohawaii.com
LIVE STATS: Livestats for all of this week's matches will be available at HawaiiAthlectics.com
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased at Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, online at HawaiiAthletics.com, or by phone at (808) 944-2697 (BOWS).
SERIES HISTORY: UH is 7-1 against UC Davis all-time. Last season, UH defeated the Aggies in Honolulu on Oct. 16, 25-16, 25-11, 25-15. On the road, the Rainbow Wahine downed UCD on Nov. 12, 2016, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16.