HonoLULU, HI
In a highly anticipated showdown, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors fell to the top-ranked UCLA Bruins in straight sets on March 14, 2026, at the Outrigger Volleyball Invitational.
A sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans filled SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, creating a loud and energetic atmosphere from the first serve. The excitement was clear, but UCLA quickly quieted the crowd with a strong start, winning 25–18, 25–20, 30–28.
From the opening set, UCLA showed why it is ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Bruins used tough serves to pressure Hawaii’s passing and ran a fast, balanced offense that kept the Rainbow Warriors out of the system. Hawaii struggled to find a rhythm early, committing several hitting errors as UCLA pulled away to take the first set 25–18.
The second set gave the home crowd something to cheer about. Hawaii came out with more energy, improving its passing and getting its hitters more involved. The Rainbow Warriors grabbed an early lead, and the arena came alive with every point. But UCLA stayed calm and responded with a key scoring run, using strong blocking and smart shot placement to regain control. The Bruins closed out the set 25–20.
The third set turned into the most intense battle of the night. Hawaii played with urgency, extending rallies and showing stronger defense at the net. Big kills from Adrien Roure and Kristian Titriyski helped Hawaii keep pace, and the Rainbow Warriors pushed the set beyond 25 points. The crowd was on its feet as Hawaii earned set points, hoping to extend the match. However, UCLA remained composed under pressure, delivering clutch kills late to edge Hawaii 30–28 and complete the sweep.
UCLA’s efficiency proved to be the difference. The Bruins hit close to .400 as a team, while Hawaii was held to just above .200. UCLA also committed fewer errors and applied steady service pressure, which kept Hawaii from building consistent momentum.
Roure led Hawaii with 11 kills, while Titriyski added nine, especially shining in the final set. Despite the loss, Hawaii showed resilience and flashes of high-level play, particularly during the third set push.
In the end, UCLA showed exactly why it holds the No. 1 ranking. The Bruins stayed consistent from start to finish, handled pressure in key moments, and played with balance on both offense and defense. Even when Hawaii made runs, and the crowd grew louder, UCLA did not lose control. That poise, along with their strong hitting and low number of errors, proved they are the top team in the country.
final score: UCLA 3 - Hawai'i 0
25–18 I 25–20 I 30–28
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
