Cal Poly Turns Back Hawai‘i For Big West Tournament Title

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i beach volleyball team's quest for a Big West Tournament title came to a close with a 3-2 loss to Cal Poly in the championship match Saturday at the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex.

The Rainbow Wahine (24-16) advanced to the title match with a heart-stopping semifinal win over Long Beach State but couldn't get past the host Mustangs (23-16) who claimed their third straight Big West title, matching UH's three straight from 2016-18. In the process, the Mustangs also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

The 'Bows won a thriller over Long Beach State earlier in the day to earn a spot in the championship match. UH and LBSU traded blows throughout with it coming down to the No. 5 and No 3 courts. Sophie Major and Christine DeRoos defeated the red-hot pair of Riley Wagoner and Ilihia Huddleston in three sets to tie the dual match. That ended the UH duo's 10-match win streak.

The deciding dual point was a dramatic affair at the No. 3. The pair of Jillian Rodriguez and Emily Mattoon held a sizeable lead through much of the third set. But with Rodriguez battling cramps, the door was open for a comeback and the UH pair of Megan Widener and Sarah Penner took full advantage, ultimately rallying for a 16-14 win to clinch the dual.

That win propelled UH into the tournament finals for the sixth straight time. Awaiting were the Mustangs, who were in the finals by virtue of their 3-2 win over the 'Bows on Friday night. Once again Cal Poly got the best of the Rainbow Wahine. After holding a 2-1 lead, the Mustangs clinched the title at the top of the order. In a battle of AVCA All-Americans, UH's Kaylee Glagau and Brooke Van Sickle fought off three championship points before eventually succumbing to Tia Miric and Ella Connor 21-14, 25-23. All six of UH's all-time losses have come at the hands of the Mustangs.

UH, which is ranked ninth in the latest AVCA Poll, now awaits its fate in the NCAA Tournament and a possible at-large bid. The Selection Show streams at 3:00 p.m. HT on NCAA.com.

Hawai'i 3 Long Beach State 2
1. Van Sickle/Glagau (UH) def. Alice Pratesi/Skyler Germann (LBSU) 21-14, 21-18
2. Kylin Loker/Jaime Santer (UH) def. Sydney Stevens/Katie Kennedy (LBSU) 21-17, 21-16
3. Penner/Widener (UH) def. Rodriguez/Mattoon (LBSU) 21-18, 17-21, 16-14
4. Claire Newlande/Nicci Reinking (LBSU) def. Anna Maidment/Sofia Russo (UH) 21-15, 21-16
5. Major/DeRoos (LBSU) def. Wagoner/Huddleston (UH) 15-21, 21-15, 15-9
Order of finish: 4, 2, 1, 5, 3*

Cal Poly 3, Hawai'i 2
1. Miric/Connor (CP) def. Van Sickle/Glagau (UH) 21-14, 25-23
2. Loker/Santer (UH) def. Jayelin Lombard/Piper Ferch (CP) def. 13-21, 21-14, 15-13
3. Addison Hermstad/Peyton Dueck (CP) def Penner/Widener (UH) 21-14, 21-15
4. Mariah Whalen/Piper Naess (CP) def. Maidment/Russo (UH) 21-11, 21-13
5. Wagoner/Huddleston (UH) def. Josie Ulrich/Vanessa Roscoe (CP) 21-18, 21-17
Order of finish: 4, 3, 5, 1*, 2

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Players Mentioned

#5 Kylin Loker: 6' 0"; Freshman

#13 Sofia Russo: 6' 0"; Freshman

#7 Kaylee Glagau: 6' 2"; Sophomore

#55 Ilihia Huddleston: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#6 Anna Maidment: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#1 Jaime Santer: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#2 Brooke Van Sickle: 5' 9"; Senior

#10 Riley Wagoner: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#17 Sarah Penner: 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#25 Megan Widener: 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Kylin Loker
: 6' 0"; Freshman

#13 Sofia Russo
: 6' 0"; Freshman

#7 Kaylee Glagau
: 6' 2"; Sophomore

#55 Ilihia Huddleston
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#6 Anna Maidment
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#1 Jaime Santer
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#2 Brooke Van Sickle
: 5' 9"; Senior

#10 Riley Wagoner
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#17 Sarah Penner
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#25 Megan Widener
: 5' 11"; Freshman