No. 2 Hawaii men's volleyball takes on No. 5 UC Irvine in back-to-back matches

Rainbow Warriors look to extend Big West lead with two wins over Anteaters

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:06am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a volleyball match between Hawaii and UC Irvine, with the players' movements and uniforms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.Two top-5 men's volleyball teams clash in a pivotal Big West Conference matchup, with Hawaii's dominant serving game facing off against UC Irvine's balanced attack.Irvine Today

The No. 2 Hawaii men's volleyball team will face off against No. 5 UC Irvine in a pair of back-to-back matches this weekend. Hawaii, the only undefeated team in Big West play, is looking to extend its conference lead and earn a top seed for the upcoming Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship. The Rainbow Warriors have been dominant on the service line, recording a season-high 18 aces in their recent sweep of No. 8 UC Santa Barbara.

Why it matters

This matchup between two top-5 teams in the country is crucial for Hawaii's hopes of securing a high seed and potential bye in the Big West tournament. Hawaii has been one of the nation's best serving teams, which could give them an edge against UC Irvine. The Anteaters are also in the hunt for a top seed, making these matches pivotal in the conference standings.

The details

Hawaii outside hitter Adrien Roure and opposite Tread Rosenthal lead the team with 28 aces each, while libero Justin Todd has 23 and setter Kainoa Wade has 21. The Rainbow Warriors are serving at over a 90% clip and have more aces than service errors for the first time since 2024. Offensively, Hawaii leads the country in kills per set at 13.78 and ranks second in hitting percentage at .385. UC Irvine enters the matches at 15-3 overall and 3-1 in Big West play.

  • Hawaii and UC Irvine will play today and Saturday at 3 p.m. in Irvine, California.
  • The teams will return to the Bren Events Center in three weeks for the Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship.

The players

Adrien Roure

Hawaii outside hitter who is tied for the team lead with 28 aces.

Tread Rosenthal

Hawaii opposite who is tied for the team lead with 28 aces and has 107 career aces, seventh-most in program history.

Justin Todd

Hawaii libero who has 23 aces this season.

Kainoa Wade

Hawaii setter who has 21 aces this season and is used as a serving substitute.

Kristian Titriyski

UC Irvine player who has won two of the past three Big West Offensive Player of the Week awards.

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What they’re saying

“They're figuring it out. You don't have to hit driver here, you know. In a little bit of sand trap, let's bring something else out. Let's put it in play.”

— Charlie Wade, Hawaii men's volleyball coach

“It's crazy. Honestly I think they could start anywhere in America. We're all on the team. We're all on the bus, and they just show game after game that they deserve to be there and that's for sure a big spot for them.”

— Louis Sakanoko, Hawaii outside hitter

What’s next

Hawaii and UC Irvine will meet again in three weeks at the Bren Events Center for the Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship, where the Rainbow Warriors can secure a top seed and potential bye to the semifinals with a pair of wins this weekend.

The takeaway

Hawaii's dominant serving has been a key to its success this season, and the Rainbow Warriors will look to continue that trend against a tough UC Irvine squad. These back-to-back matches will have major implications on the Big West standings and seeding for the conference tournament.