L-R Baylei Furman, Justice Valdez, head coach Connor Artigue, Kalea Ajel
Sharks Weekly Season Premiere: Spotlight on HPU Women’s Soccer
HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED AUGUST 28, 2025
The 2025 season of Sharks Weekly kicks off with an inside look at the Hawai‘i Pacific University Women’s Soccer program. Hosted by Bailey Furman, HPU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications and Sports Information Director, the season premiere highlights the energy and excitement surrounding the Sharks this fall.
This week’s guests include new women’s soccer head coach Connor Artigue and senior team leaders Justice Valdez and Kalea Ajel. Together, they reflect on the team’s recent exhibition match against Division I South Dakota State, discuss the talented new coaching staff, and share how they’re preparing for the season ahead.
Coach Artigue outlines his vision for building a positive, competitive team culture grounded in togetherness, respect, and “we greater than me” mentality. Seniors Justice and Kalea also open up about their leadership roles, their academic pursuits in public health and psychology, and favorite memories from their time with the program.
The episode also explores the Sharks’ team bonding activities, their natural competitiveness, and strategies for their upcoming matches at Cal Poly Humboldt and beyond. Coach Artigue shares his enthusiasm for strengthening the team’s offensive play following a defense-focused exhibition debut, while the team looks ahead to a challenging three-game road trip and the highly competitive PacWest Conference schedule.
Inaugural Hawaii Gridiron Games a success for state’s football community
MILILANI — Dillon Gabriel continues to expand his impact off the field, returning home to host the inaugural Hawai‘i Gridiron Games on Thursday at John Kauinana Stadium. Organized by Gabriel’s I’m Inspired Foundation, the event brought together top...
Acuff, Arkansas end special Hawai’i season in NCAA Tournament opening round
As Isaac Johnson turned to the Rainbow Warrior faithful, the big man who goes by “Big Fish” provided a poignant visual to end an unforgettable campaign for the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team. Flashing a double shaka to the UH fans who...
Captain Noah Hata nears 150th career start for HPU Baseball
Noah Hata’s final season with the Hawai’i Pacific University baseball team didn’t start the way he envisioned. Tabbed to finish third in the conference preseason poll, the Sharks had just two wins before the start of PacWest play, which was...
Hawaii draws Arkansas in 2026 NCAA Tournament opening round
HONOLULU – Déjà vu dancing. After winning the 2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Championship title over UC Irvine on Saturday night, the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team comfortably watched on and waited to hear their name called on Selection...
Hawaii overpowers UC Irvine to claim 2026 Big West men’s basketball title
As the final seconds ticked off the clock inside Lee’s Family Forum, emotion swelled from the Rainbow Warrior bench. The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team punched their ticket to March Madness on Saturday night, upsetting top-seeded UC...
Offensive miscues doom Hawaii in straight set loss to UCLA
MANOA — Just wasn’t their night. The University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team had an off night offensively and fell to No. 1 UCLA in straight sets Saturday before a sellout crowd at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-18,...
UC San Diego halts red-hot Hawai’i in Big West Championship
The clock has struck midnight on Hawai’i’s fairytale Big West finale. After back-to-back magical overtime wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, the University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team’s 2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Championship...
Hawaii Pacific’s magic carpet ride ends in NCAA Tournament opening round
All good things must come to an end. After a season that started with a historic upset at Boise State and provided multiple other memorable moments on the way to the third NCAA Tournament berth in program history, the No. 7-seeded Hawaii...
Flavell’s late heroics help No. 4 Hawaii stun top-seeded UC Irvine
Fabulous freshman to the rescue. Behind late heroics from Big West Freshman of the Year Bailey Flavell, the No. 4-seeded University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team stunned top-seeded UC Irvine (26-6) in overtime of the 2026 Credit Union 1...
Titriyski returns as Hawaii sweeps Mount Olive at Outrigger Invitational
MANOA — Welcome back Kristian Titriyski. The All-American opposite recorded a match-high 10 kills in his first appearance in nearly a month as the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team swept Mount Olive 25-18, 25-19, 25-17 on the opening day...