Hawaii's championship chance slipped away in Santa Barbara

The third-ranked University of Hawaii team missed an opportunity to secure a share of the Big West regular season title after losing 0-3 (22:25, 22:25, 25:27) to No. 18 UC Santa Barbara in the final regular season match at The Thunderdome.

❌ The loss ended a 20-match winning streak against the Gauchos dating back to 2017 and was UH's first loss in Santa Barbara since 2016. Coach Charlie Wade will have to wait for his program's all-time wins record.

Without injured starters Krystian Titmarski and Louis Sakanoko, the Rainbow Warriors (24-5, 7-3) failed to find their rhythm. Alaka'i Todd and Finn Kernochan each had 11 points, but Hawaii conceded 7 aces and allowed UCSB to attack at over 40% efficiency for most of the match.

💥 Geste Bianchi led the Gauchos (12-15, 3-7) with 21 points and a 45% hitting efficiency, while former Hawaii setter Jack Walmer recorded 38 assists.

🌈 Despite the defeat,the University of Hawaii (UH) will be the second seed at the Big West Championshipwhich will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu from April 24-26. Hawaii will have a bye in the quarterfinals and will play a semifinal on Friday against the winner of the UC Irvine – CSUN match.