Rainbow Warriors Capture 11th OUTRIGGER Invitational Title

The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team added another chapter to their storied history, capturing the OUTRIGGER Invitational title for the 11th time with a hard-fought victory over UC Irvine. The match, played at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, was a five-set thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats.

The third-ranked Rainbow Warriors showcased their resilience and determination, rallying from a first-set loss to outlast the fifth-ranked Anteaters. The final scores of 23-25, 25-19, 25-22, 17-25, and 15-13 reflected the intense battle between these two powerhouse teams.

Spyros Chakas, the Tournament Most Outstanding Player, led the way for Hawai’i with 17 kills, eight digs, and three blocks. His exceptional performance was marred by an apparent injury late in the fifth set, causing concern among the Rainbow Warriors faithful. Despite Chakas’ departure, the team rallied together, with Guilherme Voss delivering the match-winning kill on their fourth attempt.

Voss and Alaka’i Todd, who were both named to the all-tournament team, played pivotal roles in the victory. Voss contributed eight kills and five blocks, while Todd added 13 kills, six digs, and four blocks, showcasing their all-around abilities on the court.

The Anteaters put up a valiant fight, nearly pulling off the upset behind the extraordinary performance of Hilir Henno. The dynamic hitter recorded a match-high 36 kills, hitting an impressive .412. Henno’s relentless attack kept UCI in contention throughout the match, and his 89 kills in 175 attempts over the tournament earned him a well-deserved spot on the all-tournament team.

While UCI hit an impressive .299 for the match, the Rainbow Warriors controlled the net, out-blocking the Anteaters 17-10. Hawai’i’s serving prowess also played a crucial role, with serving sensation Keoni Thiim contributing five aces, including a 74-miles-per-hour bomb to start the decisive fifth set.

The match featured several momentum swings, with the teams trading set victories until the dramatic final set. The Anteaters appeared to have the upper hand, erasing multiple match points and taking advantage of Chakas’ injury. However, the Warriors’ resilience shone through as Rosenthal found Voss for the match-winning kill, securing the OUTRIGGER Invitational title once again.

As the dust settles on another thrilling tournament, the University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team can revel in their 11th OUTRIGGER Invitational title, extending their dominance in this prestigious event and setting the stage for an exciting Big West Conference campaign.