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, 25-20 and 30-28.

Hawai‘i hit a season-low .207 and committed seven hitting errors in each set as the Rainbow Warriors (16-3) struggled to find their usual offensive efficiency.

Coach Charlie Wade called the miscues “uncharacteristic,” noting several were unforced errors, particularly on the quick back-row attack. Two Hawai’i starters finished with negative hitting percentages.

“We generally are much more efficient,” Wade said. “Those were some unforced errors that we haven’t seen too much of.”

Hawai’i coach Charlie Wade looks on during the second set against UCLA. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

After Friday’s Outrigger Invitational matches were canceled because of severe weather, Hawai‘i took two sets to find its rhythm before pushing the Bruins to overtime in the third set. The Rainbow Warriors held leads in both the second and third sets but were unable to close them out.

Adrien Roure led Hawai’i with 11 kills.

Despite stormy weather conditions, 8,927 fans packed the arena to watch the matchup against the nation’s top-ranked team.

“They came out here in the storm to watch us — and we get 3-0 — but at least we fought and gave everything we had tonight,” Roure said. “It just wasn’t our night, but it’s amazing to see that many people coming out tonight.”

It was a sellout crowd at Bankoh Arena for the Rainbow Warriors’ match against No. 1 UCLA. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Kristian Titriyski added nine kills off the bench, including eight in the third set.

Titriyski and outside hitter Finn Kearney started the third set and sparked a rally that produced three set points for the Rainbow Warriors.

“At that point you’re down 0-2 and see what we can do,” Wade said of the lineup change. “It’s nice to know when somebody else is having a little bit of an off night that guys can come in and give us a lift.”

Kristian Titriyski and Finn Kearney embrace after a point in the third set against UCLA. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

UCLA eventually closed the match on its third match point when Cameron Thorne recorded a kill off a free-ball opportunity.

The Bruins (18-0) remained unbeaten behind Sean Kelly, who finished with 15 kills while hitting .609 with just one error in 23 attempts.

“Hats off to UCLA and Sean Kelly was impressive,” Wade said. “Even when we got in front of him, he was hitting all kinds of crazy angles, catching sidelines.”

The match also marked the return of former Hawai‘i assistant coach Milan Zarkovic, now UCLA’s associate head coach.

Former Hawai’i assistant coach Milan Zarkovic is now on the UCLA’s coaching staff. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“Nice the crowd gave him a nice ovation,” Wade said. “We’ve always said we have the best fans and they appreciate people whether you played here or coached here. We’ve had players come back and get a nice round of applause. It’s nice.”

Hawai‘i will close out the tournament Sunday with a makeup match against Lewis. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.