News Summary
The Hawaii Women’s Volleyball team struggled in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic, finishing with three consecutive losses. After a narrow defeat to Marquette, they suffered a sweep loss against Utah State and ended with another loss to the University of San Diego. Freshman Cha’lei Reid stood out with top performance, while the coaching staff focuses on addressing consistency issues as they prepare for upcoming matches against San Jose State, Utah Valley, and St. John’s.
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii Women’s Volleyball team opened their 2025 season on a challenging note during the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic, suffering three consecutive losses in the tournament. This disappointing start marks the first time since 2017 that Hawaii has finished the tournament with an 0-3 record.
In the tournament’s opening match, Hawaii faced Marquette and was narrowly defeated in a five-set battle. The team then experienced a troubling sweep loss against Utah State on Saturday and concluded the tournament with another three-set loss to the University of San Diego at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday.
The team’s performance showed significant struggles, particularly in their hitting percentage, which was recorded at .049 against San Diego, who ultimately captured the tournament title after defeating both Utah State and Marquette in five sets. Hawaii ended the tournament with an overall hitting percentage of .164, while their opponents averaged .245. Additionally, Hawaii committed one attack error for every two kills made throughout the matches.
(b)Head Coach Robyn Ah Mow expressed frustration with the team’s performance and emphasized the need for mid-game adjustments to improve. The challenges faced in this season opener highlighted some deeper issues with consistency, as Assistant Coach Nick Castello noted missed opportunities and mental lapses contributed to the team’s struggles during matches. With these losses, the coaching staff aims to use these experiences as motivational tools for improvement moving forward.
This weekend, the audience turnout at the Bankoh Arena was relatively modest, with 3,704 attendees present out of 5,431 tickets issued. Notable performances came from freshman Cha’lei Reid who led the team in kills with a total of 29 and was recognized as the sole representative on the all-tournament team after securing five aces. The team utilized a by-committee approach at the pins, partially due to the absence of national kills leader Caylen Alexander, further complicating their offensive efforts.
Another pivotal moment occurred during the Sunday match when Tali Hakas, known as the most experienced hitter on the team, exited the game after the first set due to a right shoulder injury. The coaching staff remains optimistic about her recovery and potential return for the upcoming matches.
In related roster news, sophomore Adrianna Arquette served as setter for all three matches over the weekend, while UC San Diego transfer Audrey Hollis began to see increasing time on the court as the tournament progressed. Additionally, sophomore libero Victoria Leyva showcased strong defensive skills with a total of 39 digs, though her play included some overextensions that hindered the team’s performance.
Looking ahead, the Hawaii Women’s Volleyball team will host San Jose State on Thursday, followed by matches against Utah Valley on Friday and St. John’s on Sunday as part of the Outrigger Invitational. The coaching staff’s focus will be on leveraging the lessons learned from their recent losses to better prepare the team in these upcoming contests.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Bishop Gorman and Coronado Set for Volleyball Showdown
San Diego Women’s Volleyball Team Prepares for Matchup
UCSD Athletes Shine in Multiple Sports Competitions
Additional Resources
- Hawaii Athletics: Women’s Volleyball Falls to San Diego in Tournament Finale
- Google Search: Hawaii Women’s Volleyball
- USD Toreros: Toreros Sweep Hawaii
- Wikipedia: Women’s Volleyball
- USF Dons: Dons Fall to Aztecs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Marquette: Women’s Volleyball Edged by San Diego
- Google News: 2025 Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic
- Utah State Aggies: Volleyball Falls in Five Sets
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
