Rainbow Wahine Rally Together as Big West Farewell Season Begins

The Rainbow Wahine are back home in Mānoa, and the timing couldn’t be more important. As the University of Hawai‘i women’s volleyball team opens its farewell season in the Big West Conference, the ‘Bows (4-7) are looking to reset and rally after a challenging start on the road.

Hawai‘i hosts UC Riverside on Friday and UC Davis on Saturday, with both matches set for 7 p.m. at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. For head coach Robin Ah Mow, the weekend is about more than just starting conference play — it’s about discovering how this team responds to adversity.

The Wahine have already been tested. Two key outside hitters went down early, leaving what Ah Mow called a major void in the lineup. “Those two were the heartbeats of this team,” she admitted. “Their energy, their presence — it’s not easy to replace.”

But in classic Ah Mow fashion, she framed the challenge not as a setback, but as an opportunity. “Coaching is just another task,” she said. “We work with what we have, and we find ways to win.”

That mindset has already sparked new leaders to emerge. Tyla Reese Mane and Cha’lei Reid bring their own fiery energy — playfully described by Ah Mow as her “twin headaches.” Meanwhile, Ravyn Dash has surprised even her coach, stepping out of her comfort zone and becoming more vocal on the court.

The players are buying in, too. Middle blocker Bri Gunderson admitted there were “some tears” when Stella went down — not just because she was playing well, but because she was a vocal anchor. Still, Gunderson has embraced the challenge, even stepping into a new role on the outside when needed. “Volleyball is volleyball,” she said with a shrug. “We’ll adjust. Blocking is something we’ve been building since spring, and now it’s paying off.”

Fellow middle blocker Miliana Sylvester echoed the “all hands on deck” mentality. “Every team faces challenges,” she said. “Now it’s about getting contributions from player one all the way to the last person on the bench.”

And Friday’s opener against UC Riverside won’t be a cakewalk. “They pushed us to five sets last year,” Silvester reminded. “We’re expecting another battle.”

With new voices rising, energy reshaping, and veterans steadying the ship, the Rainbow Wahine are determined to turn obstacles into momentum. Their Big West farewell season begins this weekend — and it starts with everyone pulling together.