HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team opens a new era in the program's history when the Rainbow Wahine host the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic, set for Aug. 28-30 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.  
 
First-year head coach Joshua Walker leads the Rainbow Wahine into the 2026 season, starting with a matchup with Georgia Southern on Friday, Aug. 28. The 'Bows then take on No. 21 Baylor in a "White Out" match on Saturday, Aug. 29. They close out the weekend against San Diego on Sunday, Aug. 30.   

WEEK 1: HAWAIIAN AIRLINES WAHINE VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC
Teams				Hawai'i, Georgia Southern, No. 21 Baylor, San Diego
Dates				Friday, Aug. 28 - Sunday, Aug. 30
Location				Honolulu, O'ahu | Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Television				K5 | Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play) and Chris McLachlin (analyst) — UH matches only
Live Stream				MW+ | UH matches only
Radio				ESPN Honolulu (1500AM/92.7FM) | Tiff Wells (play-by-play) — UH matches only
Streaming Audio				ESPNHonolulu.com
Live Stats				Hawaii.Statbroadcast.com
Game Notes				Hawai'i | Georgia Southern | Baylor | San Diego
Social Media				@HawaiiWVB  | #HawaiiWVB #GoBows #SISTAHHOOD | @HawaiiWVB  | Facebook

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, August 28
Baylor vs. San Diego, 4:00 p.m.
Georgia Southern vs. Hawai'i, 7:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, August 29
San Diego vs. Georgia Southern, 4:00 p.m.
Baylor vs. Hawai'i, 7:00 p.m.
 
Sunday, August 30
Georgia Southern vs. Baylor, 2:00 p.m.
San Diego vs. Hawai'i, 5:00 p.m.

PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS:

Hawaiian Airlines, our tournament sponsor, is adding excitement to every match! Be among the first fans to receive 1,500 roster cards and roller banners each night and don't miss the chance to win great prizes throughout the tournament. Get your first glimpse of the new state-of-the-art videoboard that will be unveiled for the start of the Wahine volleyball season!

Friday (Aug. 28) vs. Georgia Southern: Our Team. Hawai'i's Team.

• Celebrate what makes our fans— and the University of Hawaiʻi — so special! Show your school spirit by wearing GREEN in support of our Rainbow Wahine. Let's create a strong and united atmosphere to kick off a new era for Wahine Volleyball!
• Ticket Promotion – Aloha Friday: 'Bows & Brews It's Aloha Friday, no work 'til Monday! Join us as we celebrate the weekend with our 'Bows & Brews promotion, where you can snag 2 game tickets and 2 adult beverages for only $30 at all Wahine Volleyball FrIiday matches. Click HERE to purchase 'Bows & Brews.

Saturday (Aug. 29) vs. Baylor: White Out

• It's a WHITE OUT! Rainbow Wahine faithful are encouraged to wear white as No. 21 Baylor is coming to town for an early-season showdown! 

Sunday (Aug. 30) vs. San Diego: Da Kine Series – Uchinanchu Night

• Throughout the athletics season, UH Athletics will celebrate the unique melting pot of cultures that makes Hawai'i special. This year's series starts with Uchinanchu Night! In celebration of the Okinawan Festival, we recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Okinawan community in Hawai'i. Portions of the match will be announced in Okinawan, courtesy of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.
• After the match, get your first opportunity to meet the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team during an autograph session at Gate B.
• Ticket Promotion – 'Ohana Sunday Special The 'Ohana Sunday Special is available at all Sunday matches, where UH fans receive 4 upper Baseline tickets and $50 in concession vouchers for only $79! Click HERE to purchase the 'Ohana Sunday Special.

'BOWS NOTES

• This week's tournament marks Joshua Walker's debut as the fourth head coach in the UH women's volleyball program's 53-year history. Known as "Sky Walker" during his career as a standout outside hitter with the UH men's volleyball team, Walker began his coaching career as part of the Rainbow Warriors' staff for seven seasons and helped UH capture back-to-back national championships in 2021 and '22.
•  Walker had a hand in scheduling Baylor's visit this week in his previous role as the Bears' associate head coach. Walker spent four years in Waco on the Baylor coaching staff and will face his former team in his second game as UH head coach.
• Upon being hired, Walker quickly assembled a coaching staff with impressive credentials with the additions of Heather Olmstead as associate head coach and Kolby Kanetake and Will McDonald as assistant coaches.
• This weekend's matches also mark UH's first as a member of the Mountain West Conference. UH officially joined the Mountain West as a full member on July 1 after spending the previous 13 years in the Big West. The 'Bows captured nine Big West regular-season or tournament titles over that span.
• UH's 15-player roster features eight returnees and seven newcomers (four freshmen, three transfers).
• Outside hitter Cha'lei Reid represented the Rainbow Wahine on the Mountain West Preseason Team. The sophomore led the team with 335 kills last season and also served up 44 aces.
• Setter Adrianna Arquette, libero Victoria Leyva and middle blocker Miliana Sylvester also return after earning All-Big West honorable mention recognition last season.
• Outside hitter Tali Hakas returns to action after being limited to three matches due to injury last season. Now in her fourth year in the program, Hakas was an All-Big West honorable mention pick in 2024.
• Pin hitters Maëli Cormier and Panna Ratkai enrolled at UH in January and took part in spring practices, including the exhibition series with Louisville. Ratkai was an AVCA All-America honorable mention pick at Purdue Fort Wayne in 2024 and played at Dayton last season. Cormier earned WCC All-Freshman Team honors at Oregon State last season.
• UH added two international freshmen in outside hitter/opposite Mano Antiga and setter Manon Baudrillard. Middle blocker Rachel Purser and libero/defensive specialist Cameron Holcomb also join the program coming off decorated high school careers.

THE MATCHUPS
Georgia Southern Eagles
Series Record: First meeting

• The Rainbow Wahine and Eagles meet for the first time in Friday's season opener.
• Georgia Southern went 19-9 overall and 10-6 in the Sun Belt Conference and placed third in the East Division.
• The Eagles were voted second in the Sun Belt East Division in the conference's preseason poll.
• Head coach Chad Willis is entering his eighth season leading the Eagles and has a career record of 109-81.

Baylor Bears
Series Record: UH 6-3
Streak: Baylor won 3
Last Meeting: Baylor 3-1, Sept. 21, 2024

• UH won the first six meetings in the series. Baylor has won the last three.
• UH's last win over the Bears came on Sept. 8, 2017.
• Baylor went 18-10 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 play last season.
• Baylor enters the season at No. 21 in the AVCA-Taraflex Preseason poll. The Bears were voted fourth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre is in his 12^th season and has a 237-94 record with the Bears.
• McGuyre is married to former UH standout Jennifer (Roberts) McGuyre.

San Diego Toreros
Series Record: UH 7-5
Streak: USD won 1
Last Meeting: USD 3-0, Aug. 31, 2025

• UH and USD will meet in the season's opening week for the fifth consecutive year. 
• San Diego swept UH in last year's tournament finale to complete a 3-0 run in the Wahine Volleyball Classic.
• The Toreros were voted first in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
• San Diego went 25-5 overall and 18-0 in the WCC last season.
• Jennifer Petrie is entering her 28th season as San Diego's head coach. She has a career record of 513-184 and was the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 2022.

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