Honolulu, HI
Championship Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center came down to another five set battle for the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine, and once again, the Bows found a way to finish on top. after sweeping Utah tech on opening night of the outrigger invitation to going to five sets with Loyola Marymount, Hawai'i battled back from multiple deficits against UC San Diego to take the OUTRIGGER Invitational championship with a five set victory. The win moved the Rainbow Wahine to 4-2 on the season and capped off an undefeated weekend on their home court.
UC San Diego came out ready to make things difficult, pulling away late in the opening set with a 7-1 run to take a 24-18 lead. Hawai'i answered with four straight points to make things interesting, but a service error would give the Tritons the final point and the 25-22 set win. The Bows would have to respond quickly with their first tournament championship on the line.
They did just that in the second. Hawai‘i jumped out to a 7-1 lead behind a big service run from Jaci Miyasaki and never really let UC San Diego settle in. The Rainbow Wahine kept the pressure on throughout the set, cruising to a 25-15 win and evening things up at one set apiece.
UC San Diego answered right back in the third, holding off several Hawai'i rallies to take the set 25-21. Just like that, the Tritons were one set away from taking home the tournament title. Hawai'i needed another response, and the fourth set would turn into the biggest battle of the night.
Neither team was willing to give much ground as the two sides traded runs throughout the set. Hawai'i found itself in a late deficit but continued to fight, eventually pulling even and pushing the set beyond 25. The Rainbow Wahine would finally close it out 26-24, sending the championship match to a deciding fifth set.
With the tournament title now coming down to 15 points, Hawai‘i came out firing. The Bows opened the fifth with a 4-1 run and continued to create separation. Panna Ratkai came up huge with back-to-back aces, helping Hawai'i build an 8-3 advantage before the Rainbow Wahine finished off the Tritons 15-8.
Ratkai led the way offensively with 19 kills, while Hawai‘i's defense took over at the net with 18 total blocks compared to UC San Diego's seven. The victory also extended Hawai‘i's all-time winning streak against the Tritons to 12 matches and gave the Rainbow Wahine their second consecutive five-set victory.
After a tough opening weekend, Hawai‘i couldn't have asked for a better response at home. The Rainbow Wahine went undefeated throughout the OUTRIGGER Invitational and walked away with the tournament championship, giving the ’Bows some early momentum as they continue through the season.
Hawai'i will stay home next week for another two match series at the Stan Sheriff Center against Central Arkansas. The series begins Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Rainbow Wahine looking to keep the momentum rolling after a championship weekend.
Final Score: Hawai‘i 3 - UC San Diego 2
22-25 I 25-15 I 25-21 I 26-24 I 15-8
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pictures Taken By: Pakela Wheeler - @pakela._
