UC Irvine Falls to Hawaii in NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's volleyball team concluded their impressive NCAA tournament run with a loss to the University of Hawaii in the Division I national title game. Held at Pauley Pavilion on May 12, 2026, the championship match saw Hawaii defeat the unranked Anteaters 3-1. Despite the final setback, UC Irvine coach David Kniffin expressed immense pride in his team's performance, highlighting their string of upsets against higher-ranked opponents. The Anteaters had previously defeated No. 1 UCLA in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal and No. 4 Ball State in the semifinals to reach their first championship game since 2013. Although UC Irvine won the first set decisively, Hawaii's strong front line and key plays, including an ace by Louis Sakanoko, allowed them to dominate the subsequent sets. Hawaii coach Charlie Wade congratulated UC Irvine on a fantastic season, acknowledging the significant community support for the sport. The article emphasizes the resilience and achievement of the Anteaters, noting the meaningful presence of alumni who supported the team during the final match.
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UC Irvine Falls to Hawaii in NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's volleyball team concluded their impressive NCAA tournament run with a loss to the University of Hawaii in the Division I national title game. Held at Pauley Pavilion on May 12, 2026, the championship match saw Hawaii defeat the unranked Anteaters 3-1. Despite the final setback, UC Irvine coach David Kniffin expressed immense pride in his team's performance, highlighting their string of upsets against higher-ranked opponents. The Anteaters had previously defeated No. 1 UCLA in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal and No. 4 Ball State in the semifinals to reach their first championship game since 2013. Although UC Irvine won the first set decisively, Hawaii's strong front line and key plays, including an ace by Louis Sakanoko, allowed them to dominate the subsequent sets. Hawaii coach Charlie Wade congratulated UC Irvine on a fantastic season, acknowledging the significant community support for the sport. The article emphasizes the resilience and achievement of the Anteaters, noting the meaningful presence of alumni who supported the team during the final match.
yahoo sports