Bows suffer first loss to CSUN since 2018 in four-set defeat, 25-23, 25-16, 22-25, 25-21
BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED MARCH 24, 2024
HONOLULU — Sometimes it’s just not your night.
The second-ranked Hawai’i men’s volleyball team fell to No. 18 Cal State Northridge for the first time since 2018 with a four-set loss Saturday night before a crowd of 6,839 at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-23, 25-16, 22-25 and 25-21.
The Rainbow Warriors committed 10 more attack errors than the Matadors in the loss as they dropped to 18-4 and 1-3 in Big West play.
CSUN (10-11, 1-3) came out firing to start, hitting .560 and 0.480 to in the first and second set. The Matadors took a dip in the third set with seven of their 13 hitting errors in the frame, but they were able to turn back Hawai’i in the following stanza to snap a nine-match losing streak to the ‘Bows.
“Northridge played great, they really did,” said Hawai’i coach Charlie Wade. “Guys were jumping high and hitting hard all night. Their setter does a really good job and their serve receive was better than ours. We got a little better in the third and fourth, but they were literally falling and diving and putting balls right to the target. Some nights are like that. They got really good arms, they got some guys that can jump and hit, their setter is really good and they were good all night and we were just OK.”
Redshirt freshman Jalen Phillips had 17 kills, senior Griffin Walters had 15 and redshirt senior Kyle Hobus put down 11 kills to help CSUN pick up its first win in the Stan Sheriff Center since 2013.
“I think some of that team too were a pretty veteran group,” said Wade. “I got to think that’s the first time they’ve beaten us in their careers right, and you just get tired of losing and coming in here and playing in this (atmosphere), it’s the closest thing to the NBA that I’ve ever seen. Everybody plays good in this building.”
Freshman Louis Sakanoko led the way for the ‘Bows in the loss with 19 kills after recording just one kill in the opening set. Opposite Alakai’i Todd also finished with double digit kills with 12. The next leading attacker for Hawai’i just had four kills.
The ‘Bows will look to bounce back this weekend against UC Santa Barbara in their final home matches of the regular season.
Three players to watch as Hawai’i heads to Northern Illinois for the first time
HONOLULU – It’s a rivalry as old as… well, this year. The University of Hawai’i football team travels to face Northern Illinois for the first-ever meeting between the programs on Saturday as both squads look to secure their first Mountain West...
Hawai‘i Seeks First Conference Win in Historic Road Trip to Northern Illinois
Hawai‘i heads into unfamiliar territory this weekend, both geographically and in its pursuit of a much-needed victory. The Rainbow Warriors (1-6, 0-4 Mountain West) travel to DeKalb, Illinois, for their first-ever meeting with Northern Illinois...
High-speed Hawai’i offense on full display in exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific
HONOLULU – Runnin’ Rainbow Wahine. The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team took to the floor for the first time under the leadership of first-year head coach Khalilah Mitchell on Wednesday night, dominating to the tune of a 90-38...
After years of change, HPU’s Maile Salang finds home in Hawai’i
HONOLULU – Before making her way to the islands, Maile Salang was a bit of a school nomad. From Oregon originally, Salang graduated high school in the Philippines. She split her time between two different elementary schools, two separate middle...
Kamehameha-Maui moves back into Top 25 of Lasquero’s Football Power Rankings
Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the 12th weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.1. Kapolei (7-1) Previous rank: 1 Last week: idle This week: idle Analysis: As the No. 1 seed in the OIA Open...
Sharks Weekly: HPU Women’s Basketball Builds on Experience, Unity Entering Year Two
Hawai‘i Pacific University women’s basketball enters its second season under head coach Brent Gibson with a stronger sense of identity and a roster looking to build on the foundation established a year ago. Gibson joined Sharks Weekly alongside...
Rainbow Wahine Invitational Tees Off with Purpose, Supporting Kaua‘i Hurricane Relief
KAUA'I, HAWAI'I – The 30th Rainbow Wahine Invitational is about more than golf this year, as the University of Hawai‘i's annual women's golf tournament brings together collegiate athletes and supporters to help Kaua‘i families recovering from...
Pair of clean sheets help Justin secure Mountain West Defense Player of the Week
HONOLULU – The leader of the “No Goal Patrol” keeps powering up. University of Hawai’i junior goalkeeper Kennedy Justin was named the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after helping the Rainbow Wahine soccer team extend its...
Sylvester snags Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors
HONOLULU – Host a block party, reap the rewards after. University of Hawai’i middle blocker Miliana Sylvester was named the Old Trapper Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday morning after posting 22 total...
New Mexico overcomes nightmare first half to hand fourth straight loss to Hawai’i
HONOLULU – The devil is in the details. Despite holding a double-digit halftime lead, committing less penalties and forcing more turnovers than the defense that entered the night pacing the country in total takeaways, the University of Hawai’i...