HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team (21-6, 18-1 Big West) captured the Big West title outright with a four-set win over CSUN, 23-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-12. Hawai'i overcame a slow start and then rolled past the Matadors (7-23, 6-14 BWC) to extend its win-streak to 10 and its home conference win streak to 16. The Rainbow Wahine were powered by Amber Igiede's match-high 16 kills while Brooke Van Sickle, Riley Wagoner, and Kate Lang all recorded double-doubles to lead UH on Friday night at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai'i
 
For Hawai'i, it marks their 10th Big West title and sixth since rejoining the Big West in 2012. It is UH's 25th overall conference title (15 WAC regular season titles) and the second conference crown for fourth year head coach Robyn Ah Mow. With the win, the Rainbow Wahine punched its ticket into its 39th overall and 28th-consecutive NCAA tournament. (Last year UH did not compete as the Big West cancelled the fall 2020 season due to Covid-19.) 

As a team, on offense UH out hit CSUN, 58-to-43 in kills and .279-to-.164 in hitting %. On defense the 'Bows had a 72-to-66 advantage in digs and 10.0-to-4.0 in blocks. Hawai'i edged the Matadors behind the service line, 4-to-3.
 
For the sixth-straight match, Igiede pounded double-digit kills as she hit .382 for the match (16-3-34) and had three blocks. Igiede had six digs to bring her season total to 103, becoming the first middle blocker in 19 years to record 100+ digs for the season. The last UH middle to accomplish that feat was Lauren Duggins who had 190 in 2002.
 
Van Sickle put down 14 kills with just one error in 35 attacks for a .371 hitting %. She was in on three blocks with a pair of service aces and an assist. For Van Sickle, it was her 19th double-digit kill match, her 14th double-figure dig match, and her 11th double-double of the season. For the sixth time in the last eight matches, Wagoner put down 10+ kills, finishing with 12 kills and 12 digs for her fourth double-double this year.
 
Freshman setter Kate Lang notched her 10th double-double of her rookie season dishing out 43 assists with 11 digs. She also added a career-high four kills, two blocks and a service ace. Fellow rookie libero Tayli Ikenaga tallied her third 20+ dig match of her career, coming through with a match-high 22 digs. Ikenaga leads UH with 17 double-digit dig matches.
 
Middle blocker Skyler Williams had a match-high six blocks to lead the Mānoa Roofing Company.
 
The Rainbow Wahine got off to a sluggish start. UH was able to tie the score seven different times, but could not overtake CSUN. The Matadors held strong as they never gave up the lead in the first set except for when UH scored the first point of the match. The Matadors scored the three of the last four points to take Set 1, 25-23.
 
Hawai'i got off to a much better start in Set 2, jumping out to a 6-2 lead to begin the frame. UH extended its lead to eight points at 16-8 after a 6-to-2 run that was punctuated by a Van Sickle service ace. UH led by as many as 11 points 20-9). UH would even the set score at 1-1 after pulling away to win, 25-12. 
 
Hawai'i took their momentum into the third set where they scored the first six points unanswered. UH would lead by as many as eight points at 14-6, but the Matadors kept battling. CSUN rallied late on a 6-to-2 run to close to within three points, 22-19 causing the 'Bows to call timeout. Coming out of the timeout, UH scored three quick points to take Set 3, 25-19 and take a 2-1 set lead.
 
The third set was much closer to start as UH held an early lead, but was unable to gain traction. CSUN was able to catch UH at 9-9 on a 4-to-1 run.  With Janelle Gong serving, UH went on an 8-to-0 run to pull away from CSUN, 21-11. UH would score the last four-straight to win, 25-12.

The Matadors were led by Seyvion Waggoner who had 11 kills. Taylor Orshoff had two blocks and Makayla Bradford had 20 digs. 
 
Up next, the Rainbow Wahine will battle UC Santa Barbara on Saturday which is also Senior Night. Hawai'i will honor its three seniors—Janelle Gong, Brooke Van Sickle, and Skyler Williams. It's "Show 'Em Your Aloha" night at the arena and fans are encouraged to wear aloha attire to the match. UH is also hosting a "Toys for Tots" drive. Upon entry, fans can donate new/and or unwrapped toys at Gate A.