No. 3 UH volleyball hosts No. 7 Pepperdine in high-level matchup

Rainbow Warriors look to extend 11-game win streak against Waves

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The third-ranked University of Hawaii men's volleyball team is set to host the seventh-ranked Pepperdine Waves in a highly anticipated two-match series at the Stan Sheriff Center this week. Hawaii, led by head coach Charlie Wade, is coming off a dominant sweep of No. 6 Brigham Young last week and is looking to extend its 11-game winning streak. Pepperdine, which reached the national semifinals last season, boasts one of the top opposite hitters in the country in Cole Hartke.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in the country, with Hawaii and Pepperdine both ranked in the top 10. The outcome of these matches could have significant implications for the national rankings and conference standings as the teams jockey for position heading into the postseason.

The details

Hawaii has been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country, leading Division I in team hitting percentage at .416. The Rainbow Warriors have three players ranked in the top 14 nationally in individual hitting percentage, led by outside hitters Louis Sakanoko and Adrien Roure. Pepperdine, meanwhile, is led by the powerful opposite hitter Cole Hartke, who is averaging 4.39 kills per set with a .384 hitting percentage.

  • The two-match series is scheduled for tonight and Friday, March 4-5, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time.

The players

Charlie Wade

The head coach of the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team, who has won two national championships and led the Rainbow Warriors to four NCAA title game appearances in the last six seasons.

Cole Hartke

The 6-foot-11 sophomore opposite hitter for Pepperdine, who was named AVCA National Player of the Week this season and was on the same U21 national team that won bronze at the FIVB World Championship last summer with several Hawaii players.

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What they’re saying

“The opposite (Hartke) is arguably the best in the country. They've got a lot of firepower. (Pepperdine is) big, athletic and feeling pretty good about themselves so it'll be some high-level stuff.”

— Charlie Wade, Head Coach, University of Hawaii (Star Advertiser)

“The passing between us is way better. It's wonderful having three pins hitting .400, which is crazy, and so it's nice to see that everything is going in order and we did a lot of work in the fall to get that done and now we're getting there.”

— Louis Sakanoko, Outside Hitter, University of Hawaii (Star Advertiser)

What’s next

The winner of this series could potentially move up in the national rankings, setting the stage for a potential top-5 matchup down the road.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated matchup between two of the top men's volleyball programs in the country showcases the depth and talent of the sport at the highest level. Fans can expect an exciting and competitive series as Hawaii looks to extend its win streak and Pepperdine aims to pull off the upset on the road.