HONOLULU – The top-ranked University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team won its 26
th consecutive home match Friday with another straight-set win over Long Island, Friday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-18, 25-13, 25-16.
The Rainbow Warriors (13-0) tied the program record for consecutive home wins which was set from 2016-18. UH's current streak dates back to the 2021 season and is tied for the fourth longest in NCAA history. Hawai'i also won its 22
nd straight match overall which is tied for the ninth longest in NCAA history.
UH is one of just two remaining unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I-II along with Charleston (14-0). Earlier in the day, Grand Canyon (14-1) suffered its first loss to Pepperdine, whom Hawai'i will host for a two-match series next week at SimpliFi Arena.
Brett Sheward started in place of setter
Jakob Thelle for the fourth consecutive match and directed the Warriors to a .405 hitting percentage with 36 assists, nine digs, and just his second ace of the season. Outside hitter
Spyros Chakas led the team with a match-high 10 kills along with four digs and three blocks while opposite
Dimitrios Mouchlias added eight kills, hitting .417.
Much like the first meeting between the teams on Wednesday, UH's defense limited to Sharks' efficiency as LIU hit -.026 for the match. Hawai'i finished with 8.5 team blocks and 26 digs. Middle blocker
Cole Hogland had a match high five blocks and finished with 13 in the series.
LIU (6-6) was led by Livan Moreno, who finished with six kills.
In Set 1, Sheward served five straight points as UH took a 13-6 lead. The cushion ballooned to 22-13 after a 5-1 run.
Chaz Galloway finished with a team-high six kills in his only action of the night.
The Warriors used a 6-0 run to jump out to a 13-6 advantage in Set 2. The lead was double digits at 19-9 and UH went on to win handily, hitting .455 in the frame with two blocks and two aces.
UH doubled up on the Sharks 12-6 to open Set 3 and were never threatened the rest of the way.
UH and Pepperdine will play a two-match non-conference series, Wednesday, March 1 and Friday, March 3. Both matches begin at 7:00 p.m.
#HawaiiMVB
