Key Takeaways:
- The Hawaii men’s volleyball team started their 2026 season with a 2-0 record after sweeping New Jersey Institute of Technology in two consecutive matches.
- The team hit.517 as a whole in the second match, with Kristian Titriyski leading the way with 11 kills.
- Freshman Magnus Hettervik made his UH debut and showed promise, closing out the final four points in the third set with three assists.
- The team’s efficiency on offense was a key factor in their success, with junior Tread Rosenthal doing a great job of running the offense and spreading the ball around to his teammates.
- Hawaii will face No. 7 Loyola Chicago in their next match, looking to continue their winning streak.
Introduction to the Season
The Hawaii men’s volleyball team began their 2026 season on a high note, sweeping New Jersey Institute of Technology in two consecutive matches. The team’s returning members were presented with championship rings from last year’s Big West tournament win, but the celebration was subdued as they are already focused on winning the next one. In the second match, the Rainbow Warriors hit.517 as a team and were never threatened, winning 25-17, 25-16, 25-17 in front of a crowd of 5,267 at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
Team Performance
The team’s efficiency on offense was a key factor in their success, with junior Tread Rosenthal doing a great job of running the offense and spreading the ball around to his teammates. Rosenthal had 30 assists, three blocks, and a kill, and was instrumental in the team’s.778 hitting percentage in the second set. Kristian Titriyski led the way with 11 kills, while Adrien Roure added nine kills and Louis Sakanoko had six kills in just two sets. The team’s middles and pins all recorded a kill in the opening set, and they had 24 kills in 33 swings after two sets for a.667 hitting percentage.
New Faces
Freshman Magnus Hettervik made his UH debut in the second match, entering the game as a serving sub in the second set and closing out the final four points in the third set with three assists. Hettervik, who is from Stavanger, Norway, said he was excited to play in front of the fans and felt a great connection with his teammates, particularly middle Ofeck Hazan. Hazan scored a one-on-one block early in the third set and then was subbed out after pounding a ball for Hettervik’s first assist. The team also brought in sophomores Finn Kearney on the outside and Hazan in the middle in the third set, making similar changes to their lineup as they did in the first match.
Coach’s Perspective
Hawaii coach Charlie Wade was pleased with the team’s performance, saying that he was "somewhat surprised, pleasantly" by the efficiency of the offense. Wade noted that the team hit for a big number both nights and that both setters did a nice job running the offense. He also praised the team’s focus and preparation, saying that they prepared for each game the same way and were able to dictate the pace of the match.
Upcoming Matches
The Rainbow Warriors will face No. 7 Loyola Chicago in their next match, looking to continue their winning streak. The team will need to stay focused and prepared if they want to come out on top against a tough opponent. With their efficient offense and strong team play, they are off to a great start and will look to build on their momentum in the coming weeks.
Match Statistics
The match statistics showed a dominant performance by the Rainbow Warriors, with 37 kills and just 7 errors. The team had 5.5 blocks and 21 digs, and hit.517 as a whole. Titriyski led the way with 11 kills, while Rosenthal had 30 assists and three blocks. The Highlanders, on the other hand, had 32 kills and 20 errors, and hit just.141 as a team. The match was played in front of a crowd of 5,267, with 5,952 tickets issued. The officials for the match were Randy Rubonal, Wayne Lee, Kevin Chun, and Kerwin Stenstrom.