RAINBOW WAHINE SEND OFF IKENAGA, LANG WITH SWEEP ON SENIOR NIGHT

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 16, 2024

HONOLULU – There were tears before.

There were tears after.

But it wasn’t a night for a memorial.

It was a celebration of two stellar careers at the University of Hawai’i.

The Rainbow Wahine women’s volleyball team sent off seniors Tayli Ikenaga and Kate Lang with a straight set sweep of UC San Diego, 25-16, 25-13, 25-19, Saturday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Ikenaga, who graduated from Moanalua in 2021, was emotional before the match during the starting lineup introductions. Because of COVID-19 restrictions in the state, she was not able to enjoy a senior night moment to wrap up her prep career.

“I don’t really cry like that but I was just trying to be in the moment,” said Ikenaga. “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry but I ended up crying and just seeing so much love and support… I’m just so grateful for everybody that supported me and Kate today.”

Lang echoed Ikenaga’s statements about the support system that is unique to Hawai’i.

“This university is a special institution and Hawai’i is a special place,” Lang said. “I’m just going to remember the support from the fans, the support from my coaching staff and the support that I have from my teammates and lastly the support I have from my family the past five years.”

The senior setter finished with 36 assists in the straight set win and pass her coach Robyn Ah Mow for third-most assists in program history.

“I didn’t say anything to her because I think volleyball is a lot more than statistics,” Lang said of the achievement.

“Does it mean a lot? Yeah, of course, but at the same time I’m just so lucky to have her as my coach. She’s the reason that I was able to get those assists. I have her to thank for my entire career.”

Leading the offense was Caylen Alexander with a match-high 14 kills, Stella Adeyemi with 12 kills and Tali Hakas with nine kills for a Rainbow Warriors squad that hit .340 for the match.

“It was definitely a good team win and everybody contributed in the best way possible,” said Ikenaga, who finished with a match-high 17 digs.

“We just had each other’s back and we played for each other. We just came with the right mindset that this is our last week in the Stan and we’re going to make the most of it.”