HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team emptied the bench in a straight set win over Saint Francis, Wednesday, in the first of two non-conference matches at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-16, 25-18, 25-23.
 
The Rainbow Warriors (3-0) extended their home win streak to 21 straight while 13 different players saw action in the match. The teams play again on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Prior to Friday's match, an all-UH alumni match will be held at 4:00 p.m.
 
Serving subs Kāna'i Akana and Keoni Thiim received extended playing time at outside hitter. The duo combined for 10 kills, three aces, seven digs and three blocks. Thiim's third ace – clocked at 76 miles per hour – was the match winner. Also getting playing time for the first time this season were opposite Alaka'i Todd, middle blocker Kurt Nusterer and libero 'Eleu Choy.
 
Opposite Dimitrios Mouchlias led the team with eight kills, hitting .700. Akana added seven kills, four digs, and two blocks. Thiim and Chaz Galloway each recorded three aces, the latter of whom was a new career-high.
 
Nathan Zini had a team-high 12 kills for the Red Flash (0-3), who out-blocked the Warriors 7-4.

7️⃣6️⃣MPH 🔥🔥🔥

Keoni Thiim puts the exclamation point on the sweep for the Rainbow Warriors, 25-16 25-18 25-23. He finished with 3 aces, 3 digs and 3 kills.
Jakob Thelle 30 assists and 9 digs.

Hana Hou this Friday!#HawaiiMVB #WarriorBall23 pic.twitter.com/ShppfKYWnO

— Spectrum Sports HI (@specsportshi) January 19, 2023

 
UH led 7-2 to open Set 1 after three Red Flash hitting errors. The lead was six at 12-6 with the help of a Galloway ace. Back-to-back kills by Galloway and Spyros Chakas made it 21-13 and the Warriors went on to the 25-16 victory. Galloway finished with four kills and three aces in the set.  
 
The Red Flash took a 6-4 lead in Set 2. UH answered and secured its first lead of the set at 11-10 following a Galloway kill. Moments later the Warriors reeled off four straight points, including back-to-back blocks, for a 15-12 lead. Thiim's serving run put UH ahead 19-14 and the Warriors went on to victory, hitting .474 in the set.
 
With a new lineup to start Set 3, the Warriors jumped ahead despite committing four early hitting errors. The Red Flash scored five straight to take a 14-12 lead but the Warriors answered right back for a lead at the media timeout. The score was tied four times before the Warriors scored back-to-back points for a 23-21 lead. SFU tied it at 23 but a Thiim-Cole Hogland double block gave UH match point. Thiim's rocket ace ended it.