Hawaii Volleyball sweeps UCSD on the road in first match

No. 2 Hawaii takes down No. 13 UC San Diego in straight sets

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a volleyball match in progress, with the players and court fragmented into overlapping planes of bright colors and sharp angles.Hawaii's dominant sweep of UCSD on the road showcases the Rainbow Warriors' depth and versatility as they position themselves as a top national contender.Kahului Today

The No. 2 ranked Hawaii Rainbow Warriors volleyball team swept the No. 13 UC San Diego Tritons in three sets on the road on Friday, improving their conference record to 7-0 this season. Hawaii won the match 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 behind strong serving, blocking, and hitting performances.

Why it matters

This early-season conference matchup between two top-15 teams showcases Hawaii's continued dominance in men's volleyball. The Rainbow Warriors are looking to build on their success from last season and make another deep NCAA tournament run.

The details

Hawaii jumped out to an early lead in the first set, taking advantage of 7 service errors by UCSD compared to just 3 for the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii hit .393 as a team in the opening set. In the second set, Hawaii used 4 service aces, 5 blocks, and a .316 hitting percentage to win 25-18. The Rainbow Warriors then closed out the sweep in the third set, again serving tough with 4 more aces while hitting .308 as a team. Louis Sakanoko and Kristian Titriyski each had 10 kills to lead Hawaii.

  • The match took place on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

The men's volleyball team from the University of Hawaii, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation.

UC San Diego Tritons

The men's volleyball team from the University of California, San Diego, currently ranked No. 13 in the nation.

Louis Sakanoko

A player for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors who had 10 kills in the match.

Kristian Titriyski

A player for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors who had 10 kills in the match.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We came out strong and really set the tone early with our serving and blocking. That allowed us to control the match throughout.”

— Charlie Wade, Head Coach, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

What’s next

Hawaii and UCSD will face off again on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in the second match of their weekend series.

The takeaway

Hawaii's dominant performance on the road against a top-15 opponent demonstrates their status as one of the elite men's volleyball programs in the country. The Rainbow Warriors are poised for another successful season as they continue their quest for an NCAA championship.