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Coming off of its first-ever Big West regular season title, Hawai’i will open its 2025 season with a nonconference match at Long Beach State on Thursday at 4 p.m. HT.
 
Following Thursday’s season opener, the Rainbow Wahine will head up the California Coast to take on Pepperdine Sunday at 9 a.m. HT. UH trails the all time series against both schools (3-10-4 vs. LBSU, 0-6-1 vs. PEP) but won the last meeting against The Beach with a 1-0 victory in the regular season finale last year.
 

HAWAI’I (12-8-1, 8-1-1 Big West) at Long Beach State (6-9-3, 3-5-2 Big West) // Pepperdine (12-4-5, 6-1-3 WCC)
Date / Time				Thursday, Aug. 14 Hawai’i at Long Beach State — 4:00 p.m. HT Sunday, Aug. 17 Hawai’i at Pepperdine– 9:00 a.m. HT
Location				Long Beach, Calif. | Malibu, Calif.
Live Stream				Thursday
Live Stats				Thursday | Sunday
PDF Notes				Hawai’i | Long Beach State | Pepperdine
Social Media				@HawaiiWSoccer  | #HawaiiWSoccer | @HawaiiWSoccer

 
HEAD COACH MICHELE NAGAMINE

At Hawai’i: 86-115-25 (14th season)

Collegiate Record: 110-145-26 (17th year)

SERIES VS. LONG BEACH STATE

Overall: LBSU leads, 10-3-4

Last Meeting: Oct. 31, 2024 (UH won, 1-0)

Streak: W1

SERIES VS. PEPPERDINE

Overall: PEP leads, 6-0-1

Last meeting: Sept. 19, 2010 (PEP won, 2-0)

Streak: L2

 

ON THE PITCH  

DID YOU KNOW?

2024 Big West Midfielder of the Year Nalani Damacion finished tied for third nationally and first among all freshmen with seven game-winning goals. Her seven game-winners were also the most by any NCAA freshman since 2015 (Cece Kizer, Ole Miss).

 

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS!

Hawai’i is coming off of a magical 2024 season in which it captured the program’s first ever Big West regular season title. The Rainbow Wahine dominated the Big West regular season, going 8-1-1 and setting a school record for conference wins while finishing with 25 points – the most by a Big West school since 2016. The regular season title gave UH the right to host the semifinals and finals of the Big West Championship, however, the ‘Bows saw their historic season come to an end with a semifinal loss to CSU Bakersfield.

 

» Set a school record with a nine-match unbeaten streak that ran from Sept. 12-Oct. 20.

» Seven match winning streak was the longest in a single season and tied the overall program record.

» Outscored teams 12-6 in 10 league games, with all eight wins coming by one goal.

» First Big West team to start 5-0 in conference play since 2010 (UC Irvine).

 

RAISING THE EXPECTATIONS

The Rainbow Wahine enter the 2025 season with lofty expectations following last year’s conference regular season title. UH was picked first in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll, marking the first time since 2008 that the program has been tabbed as a preseason conference favorite. It’s also the first time since Hawai’i joined the Big West that it has been picked to finish atop the conference. Additionally, Amber Gilbert and Nalani Damacion each earned Preseason All-Big West recognition.

 

FAB FRESHMEN TO SUPER SOPHOMORES

A huge key to last season’s Big West regular season title run was the contributions UH got from a number of freshmen. The Rainbow Wahine’s group of eight sophomores combined for three Big West All-Freshman honors and eight conference player of the week recognitions a year ago as freshmen and will be counted on to play key roles again in 2025.

 

» Kennedy Justin earned Big West Goalkeeper of the Year honors last year as a redshirt freshman.

» Justin became the first freshman ever to claim that honor and matched a school single-season record for goalkeeper wins with a record of 11-8-1.

» Nalani Damacion was named Big West Midfielder of the Year after leading the team with seven goals.

» Damacion became the first freshman ever to claim the honor.

» All seven of Damacion’s goals were game-winner, ranking third nationally and first among freshmen.

» Alice Davidson earned Big West All-Freshman honors after finishing with four assists (T-1st on team).

» UH earned six total Big West Freshman of the Week honors (Damacion: 5x; Laule’a Ah Mook Sang: 1x)

 

RAINBOW RELOAD

The Rainbow Wahine will welcome in a talented group of eight newcomers to compliment their deep pool of returnees. UH brings in three players out of the transfer portal while adding five freshmen to the mix in 2025. Defenders Rikako Hayami and Solala Nasu will fill some key roles on the back line while three-year Division I goalkeeper Julia Ortega gives UH depth in the net. Isabella Kaemmerer, Karissa Kira, Saira Johal, Montana Longcrier and Sophia Nygaard make up the group of five incoming true freshmen.

 

» Hayami spent the 2024 season at Arizona and previously was an NJCAA All-American in 2023.

» Nasu returns home after spending freshman season at South Dakota State; was the three-time HHSAA State Tournament Most Outstanding Player from 2022-24.

» Ortega has totaled 137 saves in 29 career starts in goal at Southern Utah and Arizona State.

» Kaemmerer and Kira were high school and club teammates, winning an ECNL U17 national title in 2024.

 

Saturday will mark the start of my 20th year here at SBJ. Twenty years since I shifted away from a career as an attorney and into sports journalism — and I’ve never looked back.

Research. Data analysis. Writing. Editing. Podcast hosting. Moderating panels. Even playing beach volleyball in my suit jacket and pants alongside Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings. I’ve tackled a number of duties and responsibilities at SBJ. Now, it’s time for my next role: sports media beat reporter.

As many reading SBJ Media will know, I’m no stranger to this area, having written about TV viewership for years. Now, I’ll formally expand on that expertise and take on all intersections of media and sports business.

I’m champing at the bit to start this next challenge. Thank you to so many in the business that have already reached out. I look forward to working with all of you!

And I want to hear from all SBJ readers. What are you paying attention to? Who do we need as a guest on the SBJ Sports Media Podcast? Got a tip? Email or call anytime.

SBJ remains the tip of the spear for those seriously tuned in to sports business, and I’m incredibly honored to be taking on this new role.

Let’s rock!

Montana State’s Champ’s Kids Club has announced a new partnership with The Future Fan, as the Bobcats prepare for the start of the 2025-26 sports season.

The Future Fan is a U.S. company based in Arkansas that partners with other colleges and professional sports teams around the country to fulfill their exclusive membership programs.

This season’s Champ’s Kids Club membership ($50) includes an exclusive club t-shirt, mini-pennant, stickers, lanyard, and credentials, along with free admission to all home volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball games, and men’s and women’s tennis events. An additional perk is discounts on birthday parties at volleyball or basketball games and exclusive kid’s club events throughout the year.

The Future Fan will ship Champ’s Kids Club kits directly to your home. Fans should expect their kits within two weeks of ordering. To sign up for Champ’s Kids Club, sponsored by Billings Clinic, go to msubobcats.com (Fan Info).

 

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), in conjunction with Visit Lincoln, is bringing the excitement beyond the court this summer with the AVCA First Serve Block Party, a free three-day celebration in Lincoln’s Railyard outside Pinnacle Bank Arena, Aug. 22–24, 2025. Fans can look forward to live entertainment, interactive activities, special guest appearances, and a festival-like atmosphere leading up to—and during—AVCA First Serve, the nation’s premier collegiate volleyball showcase.

The AVCA First Serve Block Party transforms the Railyard into volleyball central with attractions for fans of all ages, including:

• AVCA Merch Tent – Grab official event gear and show your volleyball pride.
• Photo Trailer – Snap Instagram-worthy shots with friends and teammates.
• Human Foosball – Take part in the oversized, action-packed version of the classic game.
• Face Painting & Poster Decorating – Perfect for younger fans and team spirit displays.
• Fitness & Yoga Sessions – Hosted by Good Life Fitness for an energizing start to the day.
• Vertical Jump Test – See how high you can soar.
• Meet & Greets – With USA Volleyball, Athletes Unlimited, LOVB, and the Omaha Supernovas.
• Food Trucks – Serving up local flavors all weekend.
• Main Stage Programming – Featuring live music, DJs, contests, interviews with current and former players and coaches, volleyball trivia, and ticket giveaways.

Check out this map with more info on the Block Party grounds and booths.

Daily Highlights:

• Friday, Aug. 22 – Pep Rally & Red Carpet Walk at 3:45 p.m. (CT), live music from Honeytown, and evening celebrations running until midnight.
• Saturday, Aug. 23 – Fitness Bootcamp, live music from the Chuck Briseno Band, and a full afternoon of fan activities from noon to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 24 – Yoga session, more main stage entertainment, and closing celebrations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volleyball fans won’t want to miss the Rally Towels Giveaway for the first 200 fans each day and ticket giveaways at every watch party located at the stage.

“Lincoln is known for its incredible volleyball community, and the Block Party is the perfect way to connect fans, athletes, and the sport in a fun, energetic setting,” said AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon. “We’re thrilled to bring the excitement outside the arena and into the heart of the city.”

For more information on AVCA First Serve, including match times, go here.