The University of Hawai'i beach volleyball team will get a taste of some top-notch competition ahead of its 2022 campaign when it participates in the SoCal Challenge, Nov. 13-14, in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
 
A total of nine elite West Coast teams are in the field highlighted by four teams from the 2021 NCAA quarterfinals including defending national champion USC. The Rainbow Wahine will play six of those teams over the weekend in exhibition action. On Saturday, UH will face Loyola Marymount, UCLA and Long Beach State. On Sunday, the 'Bows take on Grand Canyon, USC and Pepperdine.
 
"The So Cal Challenge is a great opportunity for our program to go head-to-head with our biggest rivals in the proving grounds of Manhattan Beach," interim head coach Evan Silberstein said. "Even though it's fall ball, we're fired up, focused on greatness and intent to make the most of this awesome competition experience."
 
The BeachBows, who finished ranked No. 13 nationally last year, have been training hard this fall in its quest to return to prominence. UH returns a core of key returnees including Kaylee Glagau, Ilihia Huddleston, Kylin Loker, Anna Maidment, Sofia Russo and Jaime Santer. UH also welcomes a number of bright newcomers. Freshman Megan Widener, out of  San Marcos, Calif., was an AVCA High School Beach All-American. Meanwhile, graduate transfer Sarah Penner, who earned all-WCC indoor honors at Gonzaga, should also be a major factor this year.
 
 The Rainbow Wahine officially opens its regular-season in February 2022 with a schedule to be released at a later date.