Honolulu, HI
NCAA Woman's Volleyball season is officially back, as the 2025 Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic went underway at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center Friday night. The Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine hosted the Marquette Golden Eagles, and both teams were looking to take care of business from Day 1. The three day tournament also hosted the San Diego torero and the Utah state Aggies.
A home opener for the bows against the golden eagles, we would see a new lineup for the new season. some of those lineups Returning for the bows, sophomore libero, Victoria Leyva, is now one of the many starting leader on the court. after being mentored and shadowing former rainbow wahine libero, Tayli Ikenaga, Leyva knew that she would have an important role this season. sophomore setter/outside hitter, Adriana Arquette, would get the starting position in her second year. the former kamehameha graduate, arquette is a key player to watch develop during the season. the bows would start freshman outside hitter, chalei Reid, a former kahuku graduate, as they look to prepare and develop her knowledge on the collegiate level in order to face any and all situations during the season.
with the three day tournament to set off the new season, the bows led by coach Robyn ah mow, knows that it would be up to the team to determine their identity this season. the bows would be known as the "5 setter sistahs" in last season play and with a fresh start, the bows are looking to change things around this year. Coach ah mow knows that the team must overcome different challenges and learn to adjust during setback moments in the game, which caused them a lot of matches last year.
As for the golden eagles, this would be their first trip to the island led by coach Tom Mendoza. he has never brought his team to Hawai'i, and this trip would be a perfect way to start off their season in hopes of finding who they are and what they are capable of.
The first meeting between the two teams started off strong for Marquette. Marquette would set their tempo from the start and found themselves taking a comfortable lead in set one. As with any game, no lead is safe, especially when you’re the home team. The Rainbow Wahine would find their groove after a slow start and took over the 1st and 2nd set near the end.
With a chance to sweep on opening night, the Golden Eagles would fight back. A back and forth 3rd set would ultimately go far to close out the set. Marquette did not make it easy for the Bows to shut them out, as they would rally a reverse comeback off the help Senior OH, Natalie Ring, who ended the game with 3 aces and 27 kills. The Golden Eagles spoil the Bows home opener and win the match in 5 sets.
Final Score: Marquette 3 - Hawai’i 2
25-27 I 17-25 I 34-32 I 25-18 I 15 - 9
Final Score: Marquette 3 - Hawai’i 2
25-27 I 17-25 I 34-32 I 25-18 I 15 - 9
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
Pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
