Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Hawai’i OH Louis Sakanoko smiles during a victory inside the Bren Events Center. | Photo Credit: Brock Jones, HSRN

The Bulgarian Blaster is back at full strength.

The No. 2-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team continued a trend of tormenting teams on the second night of a series on Saturday, sweeping No. 5 UC Irvine in straight sets inside the Bren Events Center, (25-22, 25-22, 25-22).

Sophomore Kristian Titriyski belted down a team-high 20 kills for the Rainbow Warriors, including the final point of the night to keep the visitors unbeaten in Big West play. The Bulgarian opposite was in his usual boom-or-bust state, shining for the majority of his 29 swings while also tossing in seven hitting errors.

“He hits the ball harder than most humans and usually good things happen,” head coach Charlie Wade said of the cannon-armed high variance opposite. “But he’s got to be a little more cerebral in those long rallies and in transition situations.”

Titriyski missed nearly two months and 12 straight matches for Hawai’i (23-3, 6-0 Big West) before finally returning during the OUTRIGGER Invitational back on March 12. The 6-foot-8 opposite had tallied double figures in the kill department in all but one match since returning, but Saturday night was the closest he had looked to the All-American form he showed during his freshman campaign.

One night after posting a near-triple double, UH setter Tread Rosenthal dished out another 38 assists while adding four digs and four blocks in the victory. The offense hummed along all evening for Hawai’i, hitting .453 as a group over the three frames for the best hitting percentage by the team since February 25 against BYU.

Louis Sakanoko and Adrien Roure each tacked on eight kills for the Rainbow Warriors, who improved to 10-1 in the second game of a series this season with the victory.

After going the full five frames on Friday, one may have expected a similar sloppiness to the overall attack from both sides. The first night between squads saw a gnarly 41 combined attack errors, each tallying over 20 offensive miscues in a back-and-forth affair that needed extra points to be decided.

Hawai’i had no such plans, throwing the first punch by hitting .500 with just two total attack errors in Saturday’s opening set. Titriyski racked up eight kills on 10 swings by himself, helping hold off a late rally by the Anteaters with back-to-back putdowns that delivered the frame to UH.

UC Irvine was sound offensively themselves, only sending three swings on the attack out for a free point while hitting a very respectable .344 in the first set.

The Anteaters turned the dial up another level in the follow-up frame, going without a single error in 26 swings while hitting .423, but it still wasn’t enough as the Rainbow Warriors got a pair of late aces from Adrien Roure to pull away for a 2-0 set lead. Hawai’i also hit .500 for the second straight set with just three attacking errors.

With another tough road trip next week against No. 13 UC San Diego coming up, Wade acknowledged a desire to not allow the Anteaters to stick around in the third and extend the match further. Prior to Saturday night, UC Irvine had not been swept all season.

A red-hot start for Hawai’i helped change that.

The Rainbow Warriors raced out to a 7-1 lead in the third frame, never allowing UCI to get closer than four to set up match point, 24-16.

Andrej Jokanovic refused to let the Anteaters go down without any type of fight, rattling off five straight points from the service line with three aces to make it a two-point deficit and force Wade to burn both of his timeouts.

Calmed after the rapid rally by the hosts, Hawai’i finished off the Anteaters with Titriyski’s 20th kill of the night to remain unbeaten and record a second consecutive impressive road sweep against a Big West foe ranked in the nation’s top five.

“I don’t know if we’ve ever gone 4-0 on the road at those two places since the Big West started,” Wade said of the Rainbow Warriors sweeping through both UCI and Long Beach State on the continent. “It’s nice to get significant road wins in-league, you know? Those are really good teams that all have legitimate designs on winning not only a league championship but a national championship and [it’s] nice to be able to go into their place and come out on top.”

Quinten Greenidge was quietly incredible for Hawai’i, recording nine digs while helping spark a plethora of Rainbow Warrior runouts in transition after big UCI swings. Trevell Jordan was also strong in the middle, going a perfect 4-for-4 on his attack chances while adding a block and three digs himself from the middle blocker spot.

Andrej Jokanovic had nine kills on 26 swings for UC Irvine but totaled six service aces that helped keep the Anteaters within striking distance and alive late. William D’Arcy led UCI with 13 kills on 31 swings, committing four attacking errors in the loss as well.

Hawai’i will return to the islands before heading back to the continent next week for a two-match series in La Jolla, California against UC San Diego. The Rainbow Warriors sit atop the Big West standings with four matches left in the regular season.

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Meaux, Sharks turn the lights out on Sunbirds in series win

Meaux, Sharks turn the lights out on Sunbirds in series win

Meaux, Sharks turn the lights out on Sunbirds in series win

HPU closer Noah Meaux stares down a Fresno Pacific batter in the top of the ninth inning. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

WAIPAHU — Noah Meaux’s mother has never seen him pitch in a collegiate game heading into the week.

Against Fresno Pacific, she saw him make four pitching appearances in two days.

Meaux and the Hawai’i Pacific University baseball team are riding high after taking the series win over the Sunbirds with a pair of wins on Wednesday and a Game 4 victory to close out the series Thursday night at Hans L’Orange Park.

It was a much-needed series victory for the Sharks, who are fighting for their postseason lives as they improved to 13-11 in PacWest conference play.

“It definitely meant a lot,” Meaux said. “My mother has never seen me pitch in a collegiate game so that was awesome. As far as four appearances in two days — I’d blow my whole arm out. I’d do anything for my guys at the end of the day.”

Wednesday’s games saw HPU clutch up in a 13-9 win and a 3-2 victory with Meaux recorded saves in both games.

Noah Meaux picks up his first save of the series in Game 1 against Fresno Pacific. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Thursday had potential to end really badly for the Sharks however.

In Game 3 of the series, HPU took a pair of one-run leads after the sixth and seventh inning before giving up two in the top of the eighth and six more in the top of the ninth in a 15-8 loss.

The drought continued to start Game 4 with Fresno Pacific scoring in the first three innings to take a 6-0 lead.

But the Sharks battled back and capitalized on the Sunbirds’ miscues and free passes as the home team tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six runs on just two hits.

HPU scored the go-ahead run on a one-out groundout in the fifth before plating three more runs to take a 10-6 lead heading into the sixth. Meaux came in to pick up the final six outs as the Sharks went on to win the series, 12-7.

“It was just phenomenal,” Meaux said of how Thursday’s games ended. “We didn’t start off too hot, we could have pressed and we really could have gave up in the beginning, but our guys started to piece it together. We put up a whole bunch of runs, started a rally and gave us a chance to win.”

Noah Meaux enters the dugout after getting out of the eighth inning in Game 4 against the Sunbirds. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

The left-handed Meaux entered Game 4 with a four-run lead — just one run over the save conditions — but in the team’s eyes, he recorded three saves in the series.

“This is the best closer not just in Division II, not in the PacWest, in all of college baseball and he showed it this weekend why he’s that guy,” said HPU pitching coach Zachary Swanson.

Meaux pitched 6 and 1/3 innings across four pitching appearances in two days against the Sunbirds, allowing just two earned runs while striking out six, including the final three outs of the series.

His shortest stint was Game 3 when he picked up the final two outs of the top of the eighth inning after Fresno Pacific tied the game. Meaux made sure the coaching staff knew to leave him on the mound the next time.

“Noah Meaux is unbelievable,” said HPU head coach Dane Fujinaka.

“My only regret is not leaving him out there in Game 3. He made four appearances, pitching every game. If I leave him in there, we win Game 3 too so that’s kind of on me. He came up to me after Game 3 and said ‘I better be in Game 4 at some point with the lead.’ I’m speechless. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s the toughest pitcher I’ve ever coached in my career.”

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Nanakuli remains undefeated with 12-2 road win over Kalaheo

Nanakuli remains undefeated with 12-2 road win over Kalaheo

Nanakuli remains undefeated with 12-2 road win over Kalaheo

Nanakuli pitcher Kailey Naehu fires a pitch to plate against Kalaheo Tuesday afternoon at Aikahi Park. | Photo: Riley Guillermo

The Nanakuli softball team continued its strong start in OIA Division II play with a 12-2 road win over Kalaheo at Aikahi Park Tuesday afternoon.

Kailey Naehu struck out 12 batters in the win for the Golden Hawks, who improved to 7-0 atop the league standings. She also hit a two-run homer to center field to give Nanakuli a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Nanakuli catcher Maria Felisi was solid behind the dish for the Golden Hawks. | Photo: Riley Guillermo

Nanakuli tripled its lead in the top of the second with six runs on eight hits to make the score 9-0 in favor of the visitors. Catcher Maria Felisi led the offense with three hits in four at bats and three RBIs in the win.

Ivi Young took the loss for Kalaheo (2-3) in three innings of work, but did her part offensively with a run, hit and an RBI. Kaylee Akiu also scored a run with four stolen bases for the Mustangs while Riley Franklin had an RBI triple.

Sensational serving helps Hawaii to sweep over No. 8 UC Santa Barbara

Sensational serving helps Hawaii to sweep over No. 8 UC Santa Barbara

Sensational serving helps Hawaii to sweep over No. 8 UC Santa Barbara

Hawaii OH Louis Sakanoko rests in wait before a rally during a home match. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Rainbow Warrior Room Service, anyone?

The No. 2 ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team dealt out nine aces from behind the service line en route to sweeping through No. 8 UC Santa Barbara (11-9, 2-3 Big West) in straight sets inside Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday night, (25-16, 25-22, 25-13).

Junior outside hitter Louis Sakanoko, the reigning AVCA National Player of the Week, led the effort for the hosts with 12 kills on 17 swings along with three of the aces by the Rainbow Warriors. It was Sakanoko’s third straight outing and 12th match this season recording at least 10 kills, tied with fellow Frenchman Adrien Roure for most on the team.

Sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski followed up his first career double-double from Friday night with 11 kills and another ace for Hawai’i (21-3, 4-0 Big West) while sophomore middle blocker Ofeck Hazan turned in a strong showing in his fifth start of the season with six kills on seven error-free swings.

Hawai’i got going early behind the heavy right arms of Titriyski and Roure, seeing the two sophomores take turns on the attack to snag a 9-4 advantage in the opening set. Consecutive aces from super serving sub Finn Kearney helped stretch the lead to eight for the hosts and Louis Sakanoko slammed the door shut on the first frame with back-to-back kills, an ace and a 4-0 run from the service line.

The second set started similarly as the Rainbow Warriors raced out to a 9-3 advantage with the help of the flying Frenchmen, but the Gauchos rallied back with four straight points to pull within a pair before a serving error from Guy Riggs slowed the momentum for the visitors.

A Titriyski staycation behind the service line helped Hawai’i double up UC Santa Barbara, 16-8, but multiple attacking errors from each the Bulgarian opposite and Louis Sakanoko sparked a 10-3 run for the Gauchos to make it a one-point margin late in the second set.

Ofeck Hazan stopped the bleeding for the Rainbow Warriors with back-to-back kills, calming the waters and setting the table for a comfortable two set lead over UCSB, 25-22.

Hawai’i hammered the Gauchos in the third frame, wasting little time in sweeping the visitors with a dominant 25-13 showing in the final set. The Rainbow Warriors stepped on the gas, scoring on 17 of the final 26 rallies and fittingly finishing the match with the ninth service ace of the night coming off the hand of junior setter Tread Rosenthal.

“Everyone is saying we play better the second night, and that’s true,” Sakanoko said when asked about the follow up performance from Friday. “They played better second night, but we do play better, like way better, and I think yesterday we didn’t play well. I think we just showed today that we can play way better.”

Saturday marked the second straight match and fifth time this season that Hawai’i tallied nine or more service aces. The Rainbow Warriors have been one of the most potent teams in the country from inside the service box for years, an emphasis for Charlie Wade

Rosenthal’s match-clinching ace was his lone point-scoring swing from inside the service box, but the setter handed out another 33 assists on a weekend he moved past Lyman Lacro for sixth all-time among Rainbow Warriors in assists. The junior sits one behind Delano Thomas (’02-04) for sixth-most service aces in a UH career as well.

Hawai’i will hit the road next, playing four straight matches on the continent against UC Irvine (April 3 & 4) and UC San Diego (April 10 & 11) before returning home to close out the regular season against CSUN.

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Inouye earns first save with Hawaii, shuts down former team in 4-1 win

Inouye earns first save with Hawaii, shuts down former team in 4-1 win

Inouye earns first save with Hawaii, shuts down former team in 4-1 win

MANOA — Redemption came full circle for Ryan Inouye on Wednesday night.

The right-handed side-arm pitcher recorded his first save with the University of Hawaiʻi, closing out a 4-1 victory at Les Murakami Stadium over his former team — Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

Inouye entered in the top of the ninth inning for his seventh appearance of the season — and his first since March 8 — and delivered a clean outing to secure the win for the Rainbow Warriors.

“I didn’t pitch much overall the past couple weeks, but to be able to get back on the mound like that is pretty special,” Inouye said.

The Kailua High graduate worked one inning, allowing one hit while striking out one and issuing no walks against four batters. The lone blemish came on a single by HPU’s Noah Hata, just the Sharks’ third hit of the game.

“Definitely wanted to get all of them out, but Noah got a hit so he’s definitely going to hold that one over me,” Inouye added.

The outing marked a bounce-back moment for the 5-foot-9 reliever, who had struggled in his previous appearances, surrendering two home runs during a series against Cal Poly.

Before transferring to Hawaiʻi, Inouye built a decorated career at HPU. He holds the program’s all-time saves record with 20 and set a single-season mark with 13 in 2024, helping lead the Sharks to their first PacWest tournament appearance since 2010.

Ryan Inouye throws a pitch to plate for the Sharks in 2025. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Ryan Inouye comes off the mound at Les Murakami Stadium to make a defensive play against the University of Hawai’i in 2025. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

He also played a key role in HPU’s runner-up finish at the 2025 PacWest tournament, including three perfect innings in a semifinal appearance in which he struck out four without allowing a hit or walk.

Despite being on the losing side, HPU coach Dane Fujinaka expressed pride in seeing his former closer succeed.

“I’m super happy for him,” Fujinaka said. “It’s weird seeing him in green on the other team, but it’s awesome to see him be able to play here every day and have a huge role for them.”

Fujinaka played a part in helping Inouye land at Hawaiʻi, reaching out to Rainbow Warriors coach Rich Hill and pitching coach Keith Zuniga after Inouye’s Division II eligibility expired.

Dane Fujinaka (left) chats with Ryan Inouye after the Sharks and Rainbow Warriors game Wednesday night.

“As soon as the season ended I hit up Zuni and Rich and said, ‘Hey, is there any interest here? I think he’s the perfect fit,’” Fujinaka said. “He lives five minutes away. He’s a different arm that a lot of your league hasn’t seen.

“I’m just really happy that UH and Rich gave him a chance to continue playing.”

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HPU take series opener over Chaminade with fast start, 11-7

HPU take series opener over Chaminade with fast start, 11-7

HPU take series opener over Chaminade with fast start, 11-7

Tyler Arnold records a inning-ending double play in the top of the sixth inning playing first base for HPU. | Photo: Daniel Fujita

WAIPAHU — The Hawaiʻi Pacific University baseball team wasted no time getting back on track.

Tyler Arnold’s one-out solo home run in the bottom of the first ignited a seven-run inning as the Sharks defeated Chaminade 11-7 in the Pacific West Conference series opener Tuesday night at Hans L’Orange Park.

The homer was Arnold’s fourth of the season and his first since March 1, helping HPU improve to 12-13 overall and 10-10 in conference play.

“Early in the game, I’m just trying to make hard contact and luckily he left something up in the zone and I got barrel to it,” Arnold said. “The wind today was blowing out so it helped me a little there. I think starting that there was knowing that we can still hit the ball and hit stuff hard and good things come out of that.”

Tyler Arnold got the start at first base against Chaminade, a change from his normal starting spot at third base. | Photo: Daniel Fujita

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The fast start was a welcome sight for the Sharks, who dropped their previous series against Menlo and had a key matchup against nationally ranked Westmont postponed due to stormy weather.

“I’m really happy with the way we started that game,” HPU coach Dane Fujinaka said. “It looked like our hitters were ready to go taking really good at-bats. We were able to capitalize on a couple mistakes that Chaminade gave us.”

Fujinaka also noted the challenges his team faced leading into the game.

“I thought we had a rough last week and we weren’t able to get on the field as much as we’d like to,” he said. “Today I thought was a good start. We got a really good practice in yesterday and were able to get in a nice game today. Just trying to focus on getting back into a rhythm.”

The Sharks got back in the win column with a 11-7 win over Chaminade Tuesday night. | Photo: Daniel Fujita

Injuries and illness forced adjustments to the Sharks’ lineup, with Arnold shifting to first base and senior Andrew Nykoluk stepping in at third.

Nykoluk contributed in key moments despite a modest stat line, impacting all three innings in which HPU scored. Batting eighth, he was hit by a pitch in the first inning and later scored on Noah Hata’s two-run single. He added a single in the third and came around to score again on an RBI by Kan Taguchi.

HPU added three insurance runs in the seventh inning, including a run that scored on Nykoluk’s sacrifice bunt.

Andrew Nykoluk makes a diving catch playing third base to record an out against Chaminade. | Photo: Daniel Fujita

“I love the guy, he’s a great teammate,” Arnold said of Nykoluk. “Wherever coach needs him, he’s there and he’s proving that. So proud of him.”

Hata, Taguchi, Blake Helsper and Taydem Hashimoto each drove in two runs for the Sharks. Helsper and Hashimoto, both freshmen, also recorded multiple hits.

On the mound, Jayden Gabrillo (6-1) earned his fifth consecutive win despite allowing a season-high 10 hits over five innings. He did not record a strikeout but avoided walks and limited the Silverswords (7-23, 5-19) to four runs.

Jayden Gabrillo has pitched in half of the Sharks’ wins to start the 2026 season. | Photo: Daniel Fujita

“I thought Gabrillo did a great job with kind of what he had,” Fujinaka said. “He didn’t have his best stuff, but he threw strikes and made it tough to score in bunches.”

Jacob Vanek followed with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. His back-to-back strikeouts to end the seventh inning stranded a runner in scoring position and preserved an 8-4 lead.

“He competed and was able to kind of tone it down for us and get us back to offensively get a little bit of momentum,” Fujinaka said.

Noah Meaux recorded his fourth save of the season, entering with the bases loaded and the tying run on deck before securing the final two outs.

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