By Alfred Acenas
Eagle News Service
HONOLULU (Eagle News) – The University of Hawaii (UH) men’s volleyball squad successfully defended its 2021 title this past weekend, becoming the fifth team in history to repeat as NCAA Division I champions.
The UH Rainbow Warriors took down conference rival and two-time national champs Long Beach State University (LBSU) at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, where Hawaii won in straight sets: 25-22, 25-21, 25-20.
The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Spyros Chakas led the Warriors with 14 kills on a .333 hitting average; while outside hitter Dimitrios Mouchlias added 11 kills, resulting in a hitting rate of .500. Big West Player of the Year and junior setter Jakob Thelle commanded the offense with 31 assists and contributed two service aces.
Before reaching the finals, UH had to take on North Greenville University in the opening round before overcoming Ball State University in a five-set marathon during the semifinals.
”They were really putting some pressure on us.” said Hawaii Head Coach Charlie Wade. “I more than most expect and appreciate that because it’s something that we pride ourselves in and they were really playing at a high-level and serving the ball tough.”
”We have played some epic matches with UH for years,” Long Beach Head Coach Alan Knipe stated. “There’s a tremendous amount of respect, don’t ever confuse the competitiveness of our team or their team without respecting each other’s programs.”
The NCAA Championship match marked the fourth time Hawaii and Long Beach State met this season, and served as a rematch of the Big West Championship in April, in which the Rainbow Warriors won in Honolulu also in straight sets.
The Rainbow Warriors concluded the season with a 27-5 record, while the LBSU fell to 21-6.
This year also marked the third straight title match appearance for UH, beating Brigham Young University (BYU) in straight sets in 2021 and falling to Long Beach State in four sets in 2019. There was no NCAA tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
(Eagle News Service)