In a battle for first in the Big West conference, No. 5 UCI Men’s Volleyball team (16-7, 6,1) was defeated by No.1 Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (23-2, 6-1) 1-3, on Friday, April 7 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
The first set opened with a back-and-forth offensive exchange between both teams. An ace by UCI sophomore outside hitter Hilir Henno gave his team an early lead, 4-2.Hawai’i junior opposite Dimitrios Mouchlias responded in force by sending one of his season high 23 kills through the Anteaters’ defense. This capped off an 8-2 run by the Warriors causing UCI to use its first timeout down 13-9.
A missed illegal touch violation by UCI resulted in Hawaii utilizing its first challenge of the game. The challenge by Rainbow Warrior head coach Charlie Wade was successful, rewarding Hawai’i a point to add to their commanding lead, 15-9 going into the break.
Another fiery run from Hawai’i capped off by an incredible block from Hawai’i junior middle blocker Guilherme Voss increased their lead to 22-14. Mouchlias led his squad to an opening set victory, 25-16, with a decisive kill down Anteater territory to give the Warriors a 1-0 set advantage.
With an increased sense of urgency, UCI opened the second set jousting for advantage, as the first ten points went back and forth between both squads. The ‘Eaters jumped out to a 8-7 advantage after a spectacular, leaping save from senior libero Cole Power, leading to an incredible kill down Warrior territory by junior outside hitter Francesco Sani.
An ace from Henno mounted a dominating 7-2 run by the Anteaters, pushing their lead to 15-10. Soon after, UCI went on a mini 3-1 run to force a Rainbow Warriors timeout.
The second set quickly came to an end after a serving error by the Warriors gave the ‘Eaters a 25-17 victory, tying the game 1-1.
UCI redshirt junior outside hitter Cole Gillis was instrumental in UCI’s offense keeping pace with Hawai’i in the third set. An efficient performance by Gillis resulted in 12 kills with only 4 errors on the night for the ‘Eaters. One of the much needed kills came early in the third, as an emphatic hit through the Rainbow Warrior defense tied the set 3-3.
Both teams continued to trade points, with UCI redshirt junior middle blocker Doug Dahm scoring on back-to-back kills, tying the set 9-9. Soon after, Hawai’i sparked a 5-1 run, led by a kill by Mouchlias.
Despite being down on the scoreboard, the Anteaters battled back to eventually tie the set 19-19 after a ridiculous no-look, behind the back kill by Henno. However, the Rainbow Warriors would not be denied the victory in set three, as Hawai’i junior middle blocker Cole Hogland delivered a strike through UCI’s block, positioning them with a 2-1 advantage going into the fourth set.
In a must-win set, untimely errors by Gillis gave Hawai’i a 2-1 lead. Yet the Anteaters remained defiant in the face of potential defeat, as another ace Henno gave them the lead, 8-7.
The Rainbow Warriors soon took control of the set, mounting a ferocious 8-4 run capped with another highlight kill by Mouchlias, pushing the lead to 15-12.
The Anteaters found themselves in a deep hole that they were ultimately unable to dig themselves out of. Hawai’i’s Hogland iced the game with a kill through the heart of UCI’s defense, giving the Warriors a 25-22 fourth set win and 3-1 game victory over the Anteaters.
Hawai’i’s victory not only gave the Anteaters their first loss of Big West conference play, but created a three-way tie for first in the conference between both squads and Long Beach State. Additionally, this victory gave Hawai’i its 12th straight win over UCI, dating back to the 2018 season.
The Anteaters remain winless against a top No. 5 ranked team so far this season, but have another chance against the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday, April 8.
Donnell Fuller is a Sports Intern for the spring 2023 quarter. He can be reached at ddfuller@uci.edu
