Photo credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN
Hawai‘i Women’s Volleyball Beats UC Riverside in Five-Set Thriller to Open Big West Play
BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i women’s volleyball team rallied from behind twice to defeat UC Riverside in a dramatic five-set battle, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-17, 15-13, on Friday night at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 5-7 overall and 1-0 in Big West Conference play, while UC Riverside fell to 4-8 and 0-2.
Sophomore Adrianna Arquette delivered a historic performance, recording Hawai‘i’s first triple-double since 2018 with 11 kills, 41 assists, and 15 digs. She sealed the victory with a walk-off ace. Sophomore libero Victoria Leyva anchored the back row with a career-best 29 digs, while Cha’lei Reid tallied 15 kills, five aces, and 13 digs for her second double-double of the season. Middle blocker Miliana Sylvester added 13 kills on .500 hitting with four blocks, and Bri Gunderson chipped in 10 kills and three blocks.
Makena Tong delivers a set for UC Riverside in her return home to Hawai‘i, where she reached the 1,000-assist milestone | Photo Credit: Hawaii Athletics
UC Riverside was led by Sophia Ewalefo with a match-high 16 kills and 15 digs, and Andrea Brewer added 14 kills. Hawai‘i native Makena Tong reached a career milestone in her homecoming, recording her 1,000th career assist early in set two while setting up Brewer’s seventh kill. Tong capped her final collegiate match in Honolulu with her third double-double of the season, finishing with 22 assists and 11 digs. Libero Jessica Dean also contributed 22 digs for the Highlanders.
The Rainbow Wahine return to the Stan Sheriff Center Saturday at 7 p.m. to face UC Davis in the 25th meeting between the programs. UH leads the all-time series 23–1 and is 10–1 at home, though the Aggies earned their first win in Honolulu last season. UC Davis (4-4) is led by Big West kills leader Jade Light (4.41/set), ace leader Haden Bones (0.55/set) and assists leader Mia Starr (9.72/set), with Hawai‘i native Reese Diersbock (Le Jardin Academy) on the roster.
ADVERTISEMENT
HPU Softball Building Culture, Connection Entering Year Two Under Alex Takemura
Hawai‘i Pacific University softball is entering its second season under head coach Alex Takemura with a clearer identity and an emphasis on building a program that extends beyond wins and losses. Takemura joined Sharks Weekly alongside Makayla...
Roosevelt debuts brand new gym with four-set win over Kalaheo
MAKIKI — There was no scenario where the home team didn’t win this match. Roosevelt made sure the first contest in its new gymnasium was a victory as the Rough Riders came away with a four-set win over visiting Kalaheo Wednesday night in an OIA Division-I East...
Three players to watch for in Hawaii-New Mexico State’s Week 2 matchup
HONOLULU – Well, that start was less than ideal. Two weeks, two losses and plenty of questions have appeared through the young start of the 2026 season for the University of Hawai’i football team. Seven-ish quarters of offensive ineptitude and...
Hawai‘i Football Looks to Get Back on Track Against New Mexico State
Hawai‘i returns home Saturday looking for its first win of the season as the Rainbow Warriors host New Mexico State at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. After opening the year with losses to Stanford and UNLV, the focus for Hawai‘i is...
Hawai’i outlasts UC San Diego to claim 2026 OUTRIGGER Invitational crown
HONOLULU – It takes a team to bring home titles. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team completed a perfect 2026 OUTRIGGER Invitational run on Sunday night, powering past UC San Diego (2-4) in five sets in front of an energetic Bankoh...
ADVERTISEMENT