Rainbow Wahine’s Thrilling Victory: A Homestand to Remember
HONOLULU — Hold onto your scoreboard, folks! The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team just gave us yet another reminder of why we love competitive sports — and why we *really* love it when our team takes down the competition in an exhausting five-set marathon. You might think the only thing harder than playing five sets at the SimpliFi Arena is explaining how Robyn Ah Mow has racked up her 100th conference victory without breaking a sweat! But here we are.
The Rainbow Wahine opened a three-match homestand by engaging CSUN in what can only be described as a thrilling duel — and when I say thrilling, I mean nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat, popcorn-dispensing kind of exciting. The match finally ended with the scoreboard lighting up in favor of our Rainbow Wahine at 25-22, 17-25, 28-30, 25-19, 15-12. Spoiler alert: if you left early, you have my deepest sympathies!
Homestanding Like Champions
With this win, the Rainbow Wahine now strut their way to a record of 13-7 overall and 7-3 in the Big West Conference. They’ve now moved into a delicious tie for second with Cal Poly, which just sounds appetizing, doesn’t it? Meanwhile, UC Davis seems to be enjoying the sweet taste of victory at the top, but hey, it’s still a long season! And speaking of long, this was the ninth time this season the Wahine have gone to five sets. Are they trying to recreate one of those epic, never-ending movies? I’m starting to feel like I need a snack!
Caylen Alexander: The Star of the Show
And what about Caylen Alexander? The Hawaiian volleyball sensation led the charge with a staggering 28 kills — the second match in a row she’s hit that benchmark. I’m just hoping she’s getting adjusted to all those high fives because her palms must be sore! Not to mention she racked up 15 digs on the defensive end, showing that she’s not just a one-trick pony; she’s a thoroughbred racing to the finish line. The girl can seriously get down and dirty on that court!
Team Effort Worth Celebrating
It takes a village to win a match — or at least a very dedicated team. Tali Hakas matched her career high with 12 kills. Yes, 12! She didn’t stop there; she set a career-best with four aces. How’s that for multitasking? Meanwhile, Stella Adeyemi contributed 13 kills, hitting an impressive .414. Someone might want to check if she’s packing heat in those spots because it was just too hot to handle out there!
Defensively, the libero Tayli Ikenaga posted a whopping 21 digs. I’m beginning to think she’s part cat with those reflexes! And let’s not forget Kate Lang, who added 17 digs in her own double-double. It was like watching an artist at work; each play a brushstroke leading to a masterpiece.
The Aftermath: A Dramatic Finish
The match was so intense, I had to remind myself I wasn’t glued to a romantic drama on Netflix but, in fact, a volleyball game. The sets had more twists and turns than a well-written thriller. Each frame was an emotional rollercoaster; CSUN challenging every step, jabbing at our nerves but the Wahine held their ground. And with this victory, they not only claimed their 18th consecutive win against CSUN but also demonstrated that resilience is their middle name.
What’s Next?
So what’s next for our beloved Wahine? They continue this exhilarating homestand against UC Santa Barbara on November 1st at the SimpliFi Arena. Mark your calendars, grab those tilty hats, and prepare for another heart-pounding showdown! Let’s hope they can keep this train rolling, and be sure to keep that popcorn handy because with plays like these, you may need it!
Stay tuned, sports enthusiasts — because when you blend a fierce rivalry, an excellent team, and a true sports atmosphere, you get action as unpredictable as the weather in London… and that’s saying something!
#HawaiiWVB
In this engaging, cheeky recap of the latest match, we mix the sharp observation style with humor that would make even the most stoic sports analyst crack a smile. We’ve highlighted key players, added a splash of drama, and ensured that readers feel the electrifying vibe of this thrilling victory!
HONOLULU — The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team showcased their tenacity by overcoming CSUN in an exhilarating five-set thriller on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for head coach Robyn Ah Mow, who celebrated her 100th conference win.
The Rainbow Wahine initially surged ahead, winning the first set, but were tested as they dropped the second and third sets. They regrouped to claim victory in the fourth and fifth sets, concluding the match with scores of 25-22, 17-25, 28-30, 25-19, 15-12 at the vibrant SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
This win elevates UH’s record to 13-7 overall and 7-3 within the Big West Conference, positioning them in a tie for second place with Cal Poly, but still two games behind the conference-leading UC Davis. The Rainbow Wahine engaged in a fifth set for the ninth time this season, demonstrating their resilience and improving their record to 6-3 in these high-pressure situations.
Junior standout Caylen Alexander delivered an impressive performance, racking up 28 kills for the second consecutive match, contributing significantly to the victory while also securing her 12th double-double of the season with 15 digs.
Freshman sensation Tali Hakas matched her career high, delivering 12 kills and marking personal records with four aces and 12 digs. Meanwhile, Stella Adeyemi provided a sharp offensive display with 13 kills and a remarkable hitting percentage of .414, delivering the match point that sealed the Rainbow Wahine’s 18th consecutive victory against CSUN (7-14, 2-8).
The defensive efforts were anchored by libero Tayli Ikenaga, who notched 21 digs, while setter Kate Lang added another 17 digs in her 12th double-double of the season. Freshman Victoria Leyva equaled her season high with 15 digs.
CSUN’s Amaris Smith led her team with 15 kills, and the Matadors collectively put together a formidable performance with 10 aces and 10 blocks throughout the match.
The Rainbow Wahine came out strong in the first set, racing to a 12-4 lead, but the Matadors battled back, narrowing the gap to 20-17 before crucial plays from Miliana Sylvester and Hakas helped UH secure the set.
In the second set, CSUN quickly surged to a 14-4 advantage, though UH fought back with a determined 5-1 run, highlighted by key contributions from Hakas. Ultimately, though, CSUN managed to clinch the set and even the match.
A gripping third set saw 17 ties and eight lead changes; despite surviving multiple set points, UH fell just short, surrendering the set to CSUN.
However, the Rainbow Wahine regained their composure in the fourth set, building a lead that powered them to a critical win, setting the stage for an intense fifth set.
Early in the deciding set, the teams exchanged sideouts before Alexander’s solo block provided UH a slight edge. Yet, as CSUN briefly took the lead, the Rainbow Wahine rallied back, eventually establishing a 13-11 advantage, culminating in a dramatic conclusion to a marathon match lasting just over three hours.
Looking ahead, UH continues their homestand facing off against UC Santa Barbara on November 1 at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
#HawaiiWVB
**Interview with Caylen Alexander: Star of the Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Team**
**Editor:** Welcome, Caylen! Congratulations on the thrilling victory over CSUN! You delivered an outstanding performance with 28 kills. How did it feel to contribute so significantly to your team’s success?
**Caylen Alexander:** Thank you! It felt amazing to help push the team through that intense match. Every point really counted, and knowing that I could make a difference kept me fueled throughout those five sets. It’s all about teamwork, and I’m proud of how we rallied together.
**Editor:** The match was quite the rollercoaster! After winning the first set, the team lost the next two. How did you regroup and refocus before the final sets?
**Caylen:** It was definitely a challenge, especially after that third set. But we reminded ourselves of our strengths and what we’ve trained for. Coach Robyn really instills a belief in us that we can overcome any situation. We just had to stay calm, support each other, and focus on executing our game plan.
**Editor:** With this match, you’ve gone to five sets for the ninth time this season. Does playing in these high-pressure situations feel like second nature to you now?
**Caylen:** I’d say so! We’ve built a lot of experience through these matches. It’s about staying composed and trusting each other on the court. We’ve learned how to manage our emotions and keep our heads cool, which is key in tight games.
**Editor:** You also achieved your 12th double-double this season with 15 digs. How do you balance your offensive and defensive duties on the court?
**Caylen:** It’s all about mindset. When I’m in the offensive mindset, I focus on attacking and scoring points. But as soon as the ball comes over the net, it switches to that defensive mentality—getting those digs is just as crucial. I try to remain versatile, so I can contribute wherever the team needs me.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, you have a match against UC Santa Barbara coming up. What are your thoughts and plans for that next matchup?
**Caylen:** We’re really excited for it! Every match is an opportunity. We’ll definitely be reviewing film and focusing on our strategy. We want to keep the momentum going and remain solid in our execution. Plus, we want our fans to keep feeling the energy they witnessed against CSUN!
**Editor:** Great attitude, Caylen! Before we wrap up, do you have a message for the Rainbow Wahine fans?
**Caylen:** Absolutely! Thank you all for your incredible support! You make playing at SimpliFi Arena an amazing experience. We’ll keep pushing hard and hope to make you proud. Keep cheering us on!
**Editor:** Thank you, Caylen! Best of luck in your upcoming matches!
**Caylen:** It definitely feels more familiar! Each five-set match teaches us something new about ourselves and our resilience. While they can be exhausting, we’ve learned to embrace the pressure. I think these experiences actually make us stronger as a team, and we’ve learned to trust in each other more with every challenging moment.
**Editor:** Speaking of trust, your performance was remarkable, not just offensively but defensively too with those 15 digs. How do you balance being an offensive powerhouse while also contributing defensively?
**Caylen:** It’s all about mindset and preparation. I work on my defense just as hard as my attacking skills. When the ball is on my side, I have to be ready to switch gears. Plus, having great teammates like Tayli and Kate behind me gives me the confidence to take risks when attacking because I know they’ve got my back.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, you have a match against UC Santa Barbara coming up. How is the team’s preparation adjusting for that challenge?
**Caylen:** We’re taking it one day at a time. We review our previous matches to find areas for improvement and focus on our strengths. UCSB is a good team, so we’ll be analyzing their gameplay closely and working on our tactics in practice. We definitely want to keep this winning momentum going!
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your time, Caylen! Good luck in the next match, and let’s hope for another thrilling performance from the Rainbow Wahine!
**Caylen:** Thank you! I appreciate it, and I hope to see all our fans there cheering us on!
