HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i water polo team will make its highly anticipated season debut with the 2019 Rainbow Invite at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex this weekend. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Rainbow Wahine will face Marist at noon and Sonoma State at 6 p.m. before taking on San Diego State on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 10:15 a.m.
Eighth-year head coach
Maureen Cole has reason for optimism with a number of key returners from last year's Big West regular season Championship team. A year after posting a 21-5 record – the most wins for the program since the 2013 season – UH faces another difficult schedule in 2019, taking on four of the eight NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago.
Reigning Big West Player of the Year
Irene Gonzalez headlines the talented group of returners. The three-time ACWPC All-American and All-Big West honoree scored a team-high 53 goals while tying for the team lead with 36 assists last season.
Other All-Big West performers back in the fold are
Elyse Lemay-Lavoie (Second Team),
Femke Aan (Honorable Mention) and
Carmen Baringo (All-Freshman Team).
The 'Bows went 2-1 in last year's Rainbow Invite with wins over Loyola Marymount and Marist to go with a defeat at the hands of Cal.
UH's first opponent in this year's event, Marist, is 0-1 on the season after falling at Arizona State by a 16-8 final score. Hawai'i leads the all-time series with the Red Foxes, 3-0, including a 20-7 victory a year ago. UH has gone 5-2 in season openers under Cole.
This weekend will mark the first action of the season for both Sonoma State and San Diego State. UH is 4-0 versus Sonoma State with a 15-1 win in 2018, while compiling a 25-10 mark against San Diego State having won four in a row over the Aztecs.
Following the action this weekend, the 'Bows will prepare for a Jan. 26 home game versus Arizona State. Game time versus the Sun Devils is set for noon.
Opening Weekend Information
What: 2019 Rainbow Invite
Dates: Saturday, Jan. 19 - Sunday Jan. 20
Where: Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex - Honolulu, O'ahu
Promotions: UH sports marketing staff will be in the stands registering fans for a chance to win free food coupons each time UH scores a goal. Also, t-shirts will be thrown into the stands between each quarter of the UH matches.
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019
Who: San Diego State vs. Sonoma State
When: 10:30 a.m. HT
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Who: Hawai'i vs. Marist
When: 12 p.m. HT
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Who: Marist vs. San Diego State
When: 4:30 p.m. HT
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Who: Hawai'i vs. Sonoma State
When: 6 p.m. HT
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Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019
Who: Sonoma State vs. Marist
When: 9 a.m. HT
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Who: Hawai'i vs. San Diego State
When: 10:15 a.m.
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