Volleyball To Open Season With Marist, Liberty & Buffalo

Published

4 months ago

August 26, 2025

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 2025 Rutgers volleyball season gets underway this weekend as the Scarlet Knights make their way to Buffalo, New York, to meet up with Marist, Liberty and host Buffalo.

Tara Garvey - Rutgers volleyball this week graphic with Marist, Liberty & Buffalo

Rutgers welcomes back nine letterwinners while five transfers and a pair of true freshmen load the 2025 roster.

Among the returnees is sophomore Natalie Robinson, who in her first year in Scarlet, set RU’s single-season blocking record with 123 stops at the net. Entering the year, Robinson is the rally-era career leader in blocks per set at 1.23.

At the line, senior Lexi Visintine is back after coming up two aces shy of setting the single season record and leading the Scarlet Knights with 37 a year ago.

Junior Zora Hardison is the top returnee in terms of putting RU on the scoreboard. The junior collected 2.72 k/s with a .227 attack percentage along with 89 blocks last season.

Defensively, junior libero Kenzie Dyrstad is back after collecting a team-leading 2.97 d/s.

RU’s top two setters also return in senior Aly Borellis at 6.25 a/s and sophomore Lily Bolen at 3.11 a/s to go along with 31 aces.

#1 Zora Hardison – MB – Jr.

Second on the roster in blocks with 79 total and 10 solo, averaging 0.97 per set in 2024

Finished season fifth among Rutgers sophomore blocks (89)

Led Rutgers in blocks in 11 matches, including five or more blocks in five contests

Totaled 158 kills, with five double-digit kill matches, averaging 1.72 per set and swinging .227

#2 Ema Grubanov – OH – R-Fr.

Redshirted 2024 season

Member of Serbian Cadet National Team

Three-time state junior vice-champion

Two-time junior and cadet regional champion

#3 Kenzie Dyrstad – L/DS – Jr.

Finished 2024 fifth in sophomore digs with 309 and averaged 2.97 per set

Career high 20 digs in Big Ten opener with Iowa back on Sept. 26, 2024

Set a new career mark in aces with four at Michigan in the Big Ten road opener on Sept. 29, 2024

Totaled 15 matches in double-figure digs

#5 Aly Borellis – S – Sr.

Led Rutgers in assists with 519, averaging 6.25 per set in 2024

Led the Scarlet Knights in helpers in 20 matches with double-figure assists in 24 contests

Ranked eighth in Rutgers junior assists (519)

Moved into the Rutgers career assist top 10 in her first season “On The Banks”

#8 Lexi Visintine – OH/DS – Sr.

Led Rutgers in aces with 37, averaging 0.41 per set, marking the most aces by a Scarlet Knight in a season since 2013 and the second most aces in a rally-era season in 2024

Ranks third in Rutgers junior aces (37)

Led RU with five aces in a straight-set victory against UMES, marking the eighth most in a match and second most in a three-set match by a Scarlet Knight in the rally era, setting a new career high on Sept. 20, 2024

Registered two double-doubles against Little Rock (Sept. 6) and Iowa (Sept. 26)

#9 Natalie Robinson – MB – So.

Led Rutgers with a rally-era season leading 123 total blocks and marking the most by a Scarlet Knight since 2003 last season

Recorded by most blocks by any Rutgers freshman in history

Topped the stat sheet with 13 solo blocks, ranking seventh in rally-era season records

Tied the rally-era season block assists record with 110, marking the most since 2018

Led the Scarlet Knights in blocks in 20 matches, registering five or more stops in 11 contests

Hit over .400 in nine matches

#11 Lily Bolen – S – So.

Appeared in 30 matches in 91 sets with 12 starts, registering 283 assists, averaging 3.11 per set and 31 aces in 2024

Served up 31 aces to rank sixth among Rutgers freshmen

Led Rutgers in assists in 10 matches with 13 contests in double-digit assists

Led RU in aces 12 times, including four matches with three more points from the service line

#15 Alleigh Dutton – L/DS – So.

Appeared in 65 matches, averaging 1.42 d/s in 2024

Season-high 10 digs at Maryland (Oct. 5) and vs. Michigan State (Nov. 8)

Helped the defense with nine digs in straight-set victory over UMES in the nonconference final (Sep.20)

Served up pair of aces in Big Ten opener with Iowa (Sept. 26) and victory over Northwestern (Nov. 23)

#17 Avery Jesewitz – OH – So.

Appeared in all 31 contests in 97 sets with 19 starts

Totaled 182 kills, averaging 1.88 per set, and 42 blocks, averaging 0.84 per frame

Led Rutgers in kills in three matches and blocks in two contests

Recorded season-high 11 kills in matches with Little Rock (Sept. 6), Binghamton (Sept. 12) and Michigan State (Nov. 8)

#0 Aspen Maxwell – OH – So.

Transfer from Missouri

Earned first-team all-district honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior at Summer Creek HS

Awarded the District 21-6A MVP after compiling 500 plus kills in her senior season

Reached 1,000 career kills as a senior and 100 career blocks as a sophomore

#6 – Jenna DeLaMater – L/DS – Jr.

Transfer from Central Arkansas

Played in 27 matches, including collecting 93 digs and averaging 1.58 d/s as a freshman

Two-time First Team All-Conference, as well as an all-state and all-state tournament honoree at Cabot HS

2021-2022 JVA watch list

#10 Kaila Kalama-Bajet – S – Fr.

No. 2 setter in state of Hawaii

First Team OIA and Second Team All-Hawaii as a senior

All-ILH First Tean and All-Hawaii Third Team as a junior

All-Hawaii Honorable mention as a sophomore

#16 Imani Howell – MB – Fr.

Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association (GVCA) AA Player of the Year

Member of the Hebron Volleyball Class AAAAA-A Team of the Year

GHSA A-AAA Private State Champion

Went 40-0 against in-state programs and dropped only seven sets in 40 matches, ending the season on a 22-game winning streak, including winning 38 of their last 40 sets dating back to Sept. 21

#20 Mira McCool – MB – R-Fr.

Transfer from Georgia Tech

Two-Time Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Team at Hoover HS

Led Hoover HS to its third straight Area Championship as a senior

Collected over 500 career kills and posted 382 kills, 128 digs and 35 blocks as a junior

#22 Tara Garvey – OH – Sr.

Transfer from Villanova

Played in 18 matches during her junior campaign, totaling 113 kills and 22 blocks

Totaled 250 kills and 40 blocks in her three seasons as a Wildcat

Mom played volleyball at Tennessee

#24 Lauren Wilcock – L/DS- Sr.

Played beach volleyball at South Carolina and Washington before returning to her home state of New Jersey

2022 CCSA All-Freshman Team

AVCA National and Pac-12 Pair of the Week: (April 1 – 7)

As a senior in 2024, captured the fourth most wins in a single season (23), second most wins by a pair in a single season (21) and fifth most wins by a pair in a career (21)

The Red Foxes finished the 2024 campaign at 3-25 overall and 3-15 in the MAAC.

Returning on the attack is junior Sara Dasic, who led the team with 3.19 k/s. Dasic is also the top returnee at the service line with 26 aces a year ago and on defense at 2.15 d/s. However, Marist will be looking for a new Red Fox to set up the attack after the graduation of libero Jamison White, who led her squad with 7.99 a/s. Additionally, White led the team at 3.30 d/s.

Marist also graduated its top blocker, Alyssa White, who collected 57.0 total blocks. The Red Foxes’ top returnee at the net is sophomore Sarah Bumstead, who put up 44.0 total stops in her first collegiate season.

The Flames wrapped up the 2024 season at 13-18 overall and 7-22 in the MAC

Liberty graduated its top two attackers from last season with sophomore Paige Overcash checking in as the top returnee on the offense at 2.33 k/s. Classmate Charli Crowsson and junior Charli Morris are back after setting up the attack to the tune of 5.03 and 4.33 assists per set, respectively.

Defensively, the top two Flames in digs and top three in blocks from a year ago graduated. Sophomore Amelia Tomlinson is the top returnee in digs, having averaged 1.41 d/s last year, while at the net, Morris also checks in as the top returning blocker with 67 rejections last year.

The Bulls played to a 16-16 overall mark and 12-6 MAC record in 2024 and were selected fifth in the 2025 MAC Preseason Poll.

Among the top returnees is junior Manoela Forlin, a Preseason All-MAC honoree. She was a 2023 All-MAC Freshman Team recipient and finished the 2024 campaign with a team second-best 302 kills to go along with 28 aces, 148 digs and 33 blocks.

Offensively, Buffalo will also be looking at a new primary setter after the graduation of Mandy Leigh, who led her squad with 9.38 a/s.

The Bulls also graduated their two top blockers in Leigh and her sister, Abby. Redshirt junior Tehya Shaw returns to the net after picking up 41 blocks last season. Buffalo will also be looking to replace Maria Futey and Katrin Trebichavska on defense, who topped the stat sheet in digs at 4.03 and 2.81 per set, respectively. Top returnee in digs is sophomore Keira Kleidon at 2.00 d/s as a rookie.

In Caitlin Schweihofer‘s first season, played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, the Scarlet Knights tripled its conference win total en route to capturing numerous program firsts. Among the team’s first were its first-ever All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten series sweeps. The Scarlet Knights won their first-ever Big Ten home opener, earned victories over Indiana and Michigan State for the first time in history, captured two series sweeps against Maryland and Michigan State, picked up set victories against No. 4 Nebraska and No. 10 Purdue and pushed No. 19 Ohio State to five sets and match point. RU established new team, season and match records for aces and reset program Big Ten game bests in kills, attempts, attack percentage and assists, as well as individual conference superlatives in attack percentage, assists and digs.

Returning to fall ball for the 2021 season only three and a half months after the conclusion of the Big Ten-only 2020 season, Rutgers continued to make strides going 8-3 for its best nonconference record since 2012. During the season the Scarlet Knights battled eight Top 25 teams during Big Ten play, a conference that sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, including the year’s national champion. Rutgers captured set wins over No. 8 Purdue and No. 15 Penn State and took Illinois to five sets in front of a national audience on BTN. Inna Balyko wrapped up her career fifth all-time in assists and ninth all-time in block assists, while Kamila Cieslik became the rally era leader in matches played (132) and Beka Kojadinovic concluded her career as the rally era leader in aces.

More success continued in 2022 as the Scarlet Knights opened the year at 3-0 for the first time since 1998 and battled eight Top 25 teams during Big Ten play and eight teams that advanced to the 2022 NCAA Tournament. During the nonconference schedule, four Scarlet Knights were named to All-Tournament squads while altogether Rutgers had 11 entries among the rally-era season leaders list.

Another step up the ladder occurred in 2023 as the Scarlet Knights earned their first-ever All-Big Ten attacker, captured their first-ever top 25 victory, collected the most overall wins and best nonconference record since 2012, improved set wins by 45% over the previous season and set a school record in attendance. RU placed 12 entries into the rally-era individual season top 10 records and 13 entries into the rally-era team top 10 records while collecting the most sets played, kills, assists, assists per set, digs and solo blocks by a team in conference play since joining the Big Ten in 2014.

Last season, a youthful Scarlet Knight squad continued to rewrite the Rutgers record book, putting up several notable career and season numbers as the Big Ten expanded to the West Coast. On the attack, Alissa Kinkela, the squad’s first-ever All-Big Ten attacker from 2023 and an Australian Olympic hopeful, cracked the top 10 all-time in career kills, the second most rally-era career kills and the third most rally-era career kills per set. Following the season, Kinkela signed to play professionally in South Korea. In addition to Kinkela’s mark in the record book, Rutgers put nine entries into the rally-era individual season top 10 records, with a new benchmark set for blocks in a rally-era season from rookie Natalie Robinson. Additionally, Robinson leads RU’s career blocks per set category after only one season “On The Banks”. At the same time, junior Lexi Visintine was just two aces shy of setting a new season standard in the category.

Rutgers is back on the road, traveling to Fairfield, Connecticut, to take on Dartmouth, host Sacred Heart and LIU.

Follow Rutgers women’s volleyball on Facebook, X and Instagram.

– RU –

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Iola outside hitter takes top honor on Texas 2A all-state volleyball team | APG State News

Published

14 minutes ago

January 2, 2026

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Tritons Set for Preseason North American Challenge

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LONG BEACH, Calif. — UC San Diego men’s volleyball will prepare for the upcoming season with four exhibitions this weekend as part of the North American Challenge. The event will be hosted by Long Beach State on Friday and Sunday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

The Tritons will play two Canadian sides, Alberta and Calagry. They will play each team once on both days of the challenge.

SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan. 2

2 PM – vs Calgary

4:30 PM – vs Alberta

Sunday, Jan. 4

12:30 PM – vs Alberta

3 PM – vs Calgary

Live stats for all four matches will be available HERE. Fans interested in attending matches can purchase tickets through Long Beach State HERE.

UP NEXT
The Tritons open the 2026 season at home next Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jessup will visit LionTree Arena for a match that begins at 7 PM.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.

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Sports

Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Hosts The North American Challenge

Published

2 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LONG BEACH, Calif. – With the season just around the corner, the Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball team will host the North American Challenge, a preseason exhibition tournament featuring four teams from the United States and Canada. The two-day event will take place Friday, January 2, and Sunday, January 4, with matches held at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

Joining the Beach in the tournament are UC San Diego, Calgary, and Alberta, bringing together a competitive mix of NCAA and U SPORTS programs for early-season action. The tournament will feature eight total matches across the two days, providing fans with a full slate of high-level volleyball.

Schedule
Friday, January 2

Time	Matchup (Home vs. Away)
11:30 AM	Long Beach State vs. Alberta
2:00 PM	UC San Diego vs. Calgary
4:30 PM	UC San Diego vs. Alberta
7:00 PM	Long Beach State vs. Calgary

Sunday, January 4

Time	Matchup (Home vs. Away)
10:00 AM	Long Beach State vs. Calgary
12:30 PM	UC San Diego vs. Alberta
3:00 PM	UC San Diego vs. Calgary
5:30 PM	Long Beach State vs. Alberta

Following each match, a Player of the Match from each team will be recognized. At the conclusion of the tournament, an All-Tournament Team will be selected.

Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Live statistics for all matches will be available via BeachLiveStats.StatBroadcast.com.

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Pitt volleyball | Panthers add Kentucky MB Jordyn Dailey

Published

3 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Pitt received a commitment from former Kentucky middle blocker/right-side hitter Jordyn Dailey.

Dailey is a redshirt sophomore and will have two years of eligibility. The 6-foot-2 North Carolina native racked up 188 kills, 116 blocks and 42 digs over the past two seasons. Dailey recorded 142 kills, 82 blocks and a .314 hitting percentage in 2024. Her numbers dipped to 46 kills, 34 blocks and a .211 hitting percentage in 2025.

Pitt lost middle blocker Ryla Jones to Penn State through the transfer portal.

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Kats sign six to 2026 roster

Published

3 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston volleyball program and head coach Brenda Gray announced the signing of six student-athletes to play for the Bearkats for the 2026 season.

The signing class consists of outside hitters Annika Brooks, Brenlin Garlitz, Justice Rachal, Kameron Rector, Lauren Pyle and Sarah Odell.

“All of these young ladies bring a passion and energy that Sam Houston Volleyball thrives upon,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “They all come with numerous accolades both on the court and in the classroom.”

Annika Brooks • 6-3 • RS • Halletsville, Texas • Sacred Heart Catholic School / Blinn College

Blinn College

– 2025 second team all-conference selection

Ovilla Christian School

– 2021 second team all-district selection as freshman

– 2022 first team all-district selection as a sophomore

– 2022 honorable mention all-area

– 2023 first team all-district selection as a junior

– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state selection

– 2023 honorable mention all-area selection

– 2023 TAPPS academic all-state selection

– 2024 first team all-district selection as a senior

– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state selection

– 2024 TAPPS academic all-state selection

Texas Tornadoes (Club)

– 17s bid to nationals

– 18s bid to nationals

Gray on Brooks …

“Annika brings size and a blocking presence to our game on the right side. We are so fortunate to have her join us this spring.”

Brenlin Garlitz • 5-10 • S • Waxahachie, Texas • Ovilla Christian School

Ovilla Christian School

– 2022 TAPPS second team all-district selection as freshman

– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state

– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state

– 2024 Ellis County All-Star Team

– 4-time state champion

Texas Advantage Volleyball (Club)

– NRG 15s bid to nationals

– NRG 16s bid to nationals

– TAV 18s Black: 5th at nationals

Gray on Garlitz …

“We are excited to bring in a dynamic setter to help run our floor. Brenlin runs a quick offense and brings a passion and love for the game that is undeniable.”

Justice Rachal • 5-8 • OH • Cypress, Texas • Bridgeland HS

Bridgeland HS

– 2-time first team all-district selection

– District Offensive Player of the Year

– AVCA Phenom Watch List

– 2-time academic all-district selection

– GHVCA postseason second team choice

– 2023 honorable mention all-district selection

TAV Houston (Club)

– GJNC 16U all-tournament team (Liberty)

– GJNC Third place 17 American

– GJNC 17U all-tournament team (American)

Gray on Rachal …

“Justice will be a crowd favorite from the start. She has a contagious energy and a vertical leap that will add to the excitement on the outside position.”

Kameron Rector • 5-11 • OH • Midlothian, Texas • Midlothian HS

Midlothian HS

– 2023 District Utility Player of the Year

– 2024 Academic All-District selection

– 2025 district MVP

Mad Frog (Club)

– Girls Junior National Championship

– All-Tournament team

– 16 & Under USA Tournament

Gray on Rector …

“Kameron is just so solid all around and will bring a defensive prowess and ball control that a team always needs to continue their success.”

Lauren Pyle • 5-8 • S • Longview, Texas • Hallsville HS / Tyler JC

Tyler JC

– 2025 Region XIV Setter of the Year

Hallsville HS

– 2021 first team all-district selection

– 2021 honorable mention all-state

– 2022 District Setter of the Year

– 2022 all-state selection

– 2023 District MVP

– 2023 All-East Texas Player of the Year

– 2023 all-state selection

– 2023 academic all-state selection

East Texas Alliance (Club)

– 17s bid to nationals

– Won Lonestar Classic

Gray on Pyle …

“It is good for us to get an experienced floor leader on the roster and we are excited to have her join us in the spring to begin running our offense and bring her expertise that she delivered in junior college”.

Sarah Odell • 5-11 • OH • Tomball, Texas • Tomball HS

Tomball HS

– 2023 first team all-District 15-6A selection

– 2024 and 2025 District 15-6A Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year

– 2024 and 2025 first team all-District 15-6A

– 2024 and 2025 academic all-District 15-6A

– Played club at North Houston Elite Volleyball

Gray on Odell …

“There is an explosiveness to the outside that is needed in this league, which Sarah immediately gives us as a complete, six-rotation player who will help balance our offense.”

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No. 2 Hawai‘i men’s volleyball hits the ground running ahead of 2026 opener

Published

5 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

If it were up to head coach Charlie Wade, the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team would never start its season this early.

The Rainbow Warriors, who began their preseason practices on Sunday, will officially begin their 2026 campaign on Friday against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Although the ‘Bows have routinely started their seasons on the first Friday of the year, that doesn’t mean Wade has to like it.

“I’ve advocated that the first match can’t be before (Martin Luther King Jr. Day),” Wade said on Monday. “Let them actually have a holiday and then come back and practice for a couple of weeks. But how it goes, everybody kind of ramps it up, practices for a few days and then starts playing.”

One of the few positives Wade sees in the compressed preseason schedule is the fact that the Rainbow Warriors are not in class yet, which allows them the time to focus on an intense schedule featuring two practices a day leading up to the opener.

Trips to the practice gym have been frequent in recent days. Inside of it is a collection of world-class athletes, a roster featuring players from seven different countries and four separate states. Although there’s only one senior among the 19 players, the Rainbow Warriors are a team with clear national championship expectations in 2026.

The Rainbow Warriors have played in four national championship matches under Wade, winning it all in 2021 and 2022. The ‘Bows went 27-6 in 2025 and were swept by UCLA in the national semifinals. In 2026, UH returns five of its seven starters in that semifinal match, not counting star opposite hitter Kristian Titriyski, who missed the last eight matches due to an ankle injury.

Despite its losses in personnel, the Rainbow Warriors have reloaded. After losing beloved assistant coach Milan Zarkovic to UCLA, Wade got Maui native and former Ball State head coach Donan Cruz to join the staff. Meanwhile, the void left by former starting libero ‘Eleu Choy will likely be filled by Canadian national teamer Quintin Greenidge, a newcomer in Mānoa who will have two years of college eligibility remaining.

When Grand Canyon University decided to immediately scrap its nationally ranked men’s volleyball program following the 2025 season to focus on other sports, the Rainbow Warriors were able to benefit by signing freshman All-American Trevell Jordan and former GCU commit Thatcher Fahlbusch. Jordan is competing for one of the two starting spots at middle blocker, along with Ofeck Hazan, Justin Todd, Alex Parks and 7-foot freshman Roman Payne.

“None of us saw it coming,” Jordan said of Grand Canyon punting on men’s volleyball. “The team and squad (at UH) has been really inviting. They’ve been working with me to get me more accommodated to here, as it’s a big move from where I originally was from.”

Jordan immediately became one of the most coveted players in the NCAA transfer portal upon entering. He was already familiar with a handful of players on the UH roster after playing with them on multiple United States national teams.

“He had offers to go to every top program in the country, and ironically, they were pushing him to make a fast decision, and they pushed him towards us,” Wade recalled. “I was the one saying, ‘Hey, I’m in for the long haul. I want you here. Take your time to figure it out.'”

Running the show for the Rainbow Warriors is Tread Rosenthal, the team’s 6-foot-11 setter who established himself as the team’s unquestioned leader as a sophomore in 2025.

“I think last year we showed that we had the potential to be the best team on any given night, but I think this year we need to be the best team every night no matter what,” Rosenthal said. “I think that just comes with working with together to get it more consistent.”

Added Wade: “It’s year three (for Rosenthal). It’s the payoff year, right? By the third year, you can see there’s just kind of a calm confidence to him that he’s kind of been there, done that. He clearly is the leader of the team. These are his guys. A lot of them are here because of him. Looking for even bigger and better things from him this year for sure.”

Hawai‘i will start off the year as the No. 2 team in the country following the release of the preseason AVCA poll, which had UCLA in the top spot. External expectations are high for the Rainbow Warriors, but internal expectations are higher.

“My freshman year, we didn’t go to the championship. My sophomore year, we lost in the the semis,” junior outside hitter Louis Sakanoko said. “We have to get the championship now. I feel like the whole team knows we could win the championship. We have the team for it, but now we need to be consistent enough to beat every single team every night. And we’re just really, really excited to prove that to everyone.

“We all want to win a national championship. That’s the goal. We won the Big West last year, that was wonderful for sure, but we want that big one.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.

Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.

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