HONOLULU – Even Hawai’i head coach Charlie Wade was impressed.

The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team swept NJIT (0-2) in straight sets on Sunday night inside Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, (25-17, 25-16, 25-17), dominating the Highlanders behind an attack that hit .517 as a unit while committing seven total attacking errors across 58 swings.

“Overall, the efficiency of the offense, I’m somewhat surprised – pleasantly,” Wade said of his team’s performance from throughout the weekend. “We hit for a big number both nights … both setters doing a nice job running the offense, I think it’s a good way to start the year.”

Sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski paced the balanced Rainbow Warrior attack with 11 kills, four blocks and three service aces, finishing the match as the lone player on either side of the net to tally double figure kills. Fellow sophomore Adrien Roure followed closely behind with nine kills on 13 swings for UH, committing only one attacking error in three frames of work.

With the majority of his weapons from last season’s Big West champion squad returning and at his disposal, junior setter Tread Rosenthal dished out a calm 30-assist night in two (and a little change) sets of work before turning over the keys to the offense to freshman setter Magnus Hettervik in the third frame to close out the match.

Hettervik, who hails from Norway and was recruited with help from program legend Jakob Thelle, made his Rainbow Warrior debut in the second set as a serving sub but got real action running the offense in the final stanza as he dished out three assists.

“When an alum sends me a text, e-mail, whatever with someone, I know they know the level,” Wade said discussing the recruiting process of the new Norwegian setter. “Anyone that’s been recommended by one of the alums has turned out very good. Obviously, Jakob was a two-time NCAA champion, [AVCA] Player of the Year and, I don’t think there’s any question, the most decorated athlete in the history of the University of Hawai’i athletics … So, it didn’t take me much convincing when he sent me the tape.”

Hawai’i (2-0), who was ranked as the No. 2 team in the country in the AVCA preseason coaches’ poll, raced out to a 10-3 lead in the premiere stanza behind an aggressive Titriyski service turn that produced a pair of aces and an efficient attack that came to be the norm throughout the night.

The Rainbow Warriors kept rolling as the opening frame continued, seeing back-to-back triple blocks by the trifecta of Titriyski, Justin Todd and Louis Sakanoko help the hosts double up the Highlanders, 18-9, and force NJIT to take its second timeout of the young night. UH calmly closed out the set with a 25-17 decision, hitting .533 on 15 swings as a group while all phases of the game flowed.

Hawai’i’s efficient attack leveled up in the second set, hitting .778 as a team without committing a single attacking error while Hettervik made his first entrance and promptly dealt an ace on the way to another comfortable set win, 25-16.

The third frame provided the most competitive action of the night as Wade dipped into his pool of promising prospects awaiting on the bench to close out the match. While starters Adrien Roure, Tread Rosenthal, Kristian Titriyski, Trevell Jordan and Quintin Greenidge opened the set, Finn Kearney and Ofeck Hazan got the nod for a solid portion of the frame along with time for Hettervik and middle blocker Alex Parks.

Each side played within a pair of points of each other until Hawai’i ripped off a 7-0 run to take a commanding 21-12 lead over NJIT in the final set. The Highlanders hit back with a 4-1 run, but the Rainbow Warriors quit playing with their food as Roure powered down the final kill of the night to secure the second sweep in as many matches this season.

Quintin Greenidge tallied a match-high eight digs in the sweep while Louis Sakanoko had six kills on seven swings and did not commit an error of any kind (attack, service, block or reception). Trevell Jordan added four kills on six swings with a single attacking error while chipping in one of Hawai’i’s eight team blocks.

Following the match, returning players from the 2025 squad received their Big West championship rings. Alumni such as ‘Eleu Choy, Kawai Hong and Zachary Thompson also came back following their graduation to take in the match and take part in the ring ceremony after the victory, celebrating while newcomers watched with desires to add bling of their own.

“When I look at the ring, it looks pretty insane,” freshman setter Magnus Hettervik said after watching his new teammates get their hardware. “It pushes me more that I really want to get one for myself, so I think it’s just an inspiration.”

No. 2 Hawai’i returns to action on Thursday, January 8 for a top-10 matchup against No. 7-ranked Loyola-Chicago, hosting the Ramblers for the first of a two-match weekend series. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. HT.

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors men’s volleyball opened the 2026 season with a sweep of NJIT, but postgame conversations inside the Stan Sheriff Center revealed a team more focused on standards, connection, and long-term goals than early-season results.

Below are key notes and quotes from head coach Charlie Wade, junior outside hitter/opposite Louis Sakanoko, and freshman setter Magnus Hettervik following opening weekend.

Opening Weekend Energy and Mindset

Sakanoko said returning to the Stan Sheriff Center — and doing so in front of an engaged home crowd — set the tone immediately for the Rainbow Warriors.

“It was nice to come back in the Stan for sure. All the support we got from the fans was incredible.”

He added that Hawaiʻi’s approach didn’t change based on opponent or circumstance.

“We prepare for each game the same. First game, we were really focused on bringing energy first and not letting the other team dictate how we play.”

Consistency Over Results

When asked about the quick turnaround between matches, Sakanoko emphasized execution over emotion.

“We stayed locked in on small things. Keeping our service in — globally, we did a really good job.”

That attention to detail stood out to Wade as well, particularly from the service line.

“We pride ourselves on managing from the service line. We were a little under 90 percent, but 89 is a pretty good number.”

Wade also pointed to offensive efficiency as a pleasant early-season indicator.

“Both setters did a nice job running the offense. We hit for a big number both nights, which was great to see.”

A First Taste of the Stan for Magnus Hettervik

Freshman setter Magnus Hettervik made his Stan Sheriff Center debut during opening weekend — an experience he said lived up to everything he had heard before arriving in Hawaiʻi.

“It was amazing,” Hettervik said. “I’ve been looking forward to playing here in front of the fans.”

That moment was the culmination of a unique and personal recruiting path that began thousands of miles away in Norway. Head coach Charlie Wade explained that the connection started with former Hawaiʻi setter Jakob Thelle, one of the most decorated players in program history.

Jakob Thelle, a two-time NCAA champion and former National Player of the Year, reached out to Wade after seeing Hettervik’s potential — a recommendation Wade said carried significant weight.

“When one of our alums sends me a name, they’re putting their reputation on the line,” Wade said. “Every guy who’s come to us that way has turned out very good.”

The connection went deeper than volleyball. Hettervik shared that Thelle was his older brother’s best friend growing up, and the two also attended the same volleyball high school in Norway — making the Hawaiʻi pipeline feel natural rather than coincidental.

“He’s kind of like another big brother to me,” Hettervik said. “I’ve heard a lot of stories from him about the fans, the Stan Sheriff Center, and what it’s like to play here.”

Those stories — combined with the opportunity to compete at the highest level — ultimately drew Hettervik across the globe.

“I just got really interested in the opportunity,” he said. “So far, it’s been amazing.”

For Wade, the result is another example of how Hawaiʻi’s volleyball culture continues to resonate internationally — and how the Stan Sheriff Center remains a powerful recruiting tool long before a player ever steps onto the court.

Building Chemistry Early

Hettervik spoke specifically about his developing connection with middle blocker Ofeck Hazan, noting that reps in practice have translated quickly to matches.

“We’ve had a lot of reps together, and I really feel the connection.”

That trust and familiarity is something Wade believes is already showing across the roster.

Championship Rings — and Championship Expectations

Opening weekend also featured Hawaiʻi’s Big West championship ring ceremony, a moment Wade said was about validating the work behind the scenes.

“Guys come here to win championships. That’s part of the deal.”

He added that success requires embracing the daily grind.

“Everybody loves the idea of winning championships. Not everybody loves the lifestyle.”

For Hettervik, seeing teammates receive their rings only raised the bar.

“When I look at the ring, it looks pretty insane. It just pushes me more — I really want one for myself.”

A Different Kind of Confidence

Wade noted a noticeable shift in the team’s demeanor compared to last season.

“There’s a calm confidence to this group that just wasn’t there last year.”

He attributed that to maturity, leadership, and hunger.

“You look at guys like Tread Rosenthal and how he goes about his business — that spreads throughout the team.”

Looking Ahead, Even After Opening Weekend

Despite the wins and the celebration, the Rainbow Warriors’ focus quickly turned forward.

“We’re really happy,” Sakanoko said. “But now we’re already focused on next week.”

Wade echoed that sentiment, emphasizing sustainability over short-term success.

“We’ve built this program to an elite level. The challenge now is sustaining it.”