IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team left no doubt why they're the No. 2 ranked team in the country with another straight-set win over third-ranked UC Irvine, Saturday at the Bren Center. Set scores were 25-13, 25-22, 25-20 in a match that lasted only 78 minutes.
 
By virtue of the series sweep, the Rainbow Warriors (12-0, 2-0 BWC) retained possession of the Pineapple-Orange Crate, a rivalry trophy that started between the teams last season. UH also extended its consecutive straight-set win streak to 12 to open the season and have won all 36 sets played. In arguably its most complete match of 2019, UH hit .529 with a season-high 12 blocks and five aces. 
 
Opposite Rado Parapunov had another dominant performance with 16 kills, hitting .565 with two aces and four blocks. Outside hitter Stijn van Tilburg added 13 kills, hitting .688 and four stuffs and setter Joe Worsley was brilliant with 39 assists and two aces. Middle blocker Patrick Gasman caused havoc at the net with seven blocks.
 
Aaron Koubi had a team-high 10 kills for the Anteaters (13-4, 2-2).
 
Hawai'i got things started early in Set 1 doubling up on the Anteaters, 8-4. UH extended its lead to 18-10 following a 6-0 run. The lead was 20-11 after a kill and ace by Parapunov and the Warriors scored the final five points to take the opening set. UH hit .556 with six blocks and two aces and held the Anteaters to a -.238 clip.
 
The Anteaters erased an early 7-3 deficit in Set 2 for a 9-8 lead. The teams traded side-outs for the better part of the set until the Warriors reeled off three straight including an ace by Worsley for a 21-17 lead. That was enough of a cushion as UH closed out the set with Parapunov's 11^thkill. 
 
Hawai'i scored the first three points of Set 3 before the Anteaters rallied back to take the lead at 9-8. UH grabbed the 21-17 lead after four straight points, which included a pair of blocks by Gasman and sided-out to victory. 
 
The Warriors will next host the Outrigger Resorts Invitational, March 7-10, featuring King, Ball State, and Pepperdine at the Stan Sheriff Center.