The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine women's volleyball team showcased a strong performance on Thursday night, securing their first sweep of the season by defeating Utah Tech in straight sets, 25-17, 25-11, 26-24. This victory came during the opening match of the Outrigger Invitational held at Bankoh Arena, part of the Stan Sheriff Center.
With key player Cha’lei Reid sidelined due to a shoulder injury, the Rainbow Wahine needed their opposite hitters to step up, and they did just that. Newcomer Panna Ratkai led the charge with a match-high 12 kills, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure, especially in the critical moments of the match. Veteran Tali Hakas also contributed significantly, adding 10 kills and a match-high 12 digs.
The match drew a crowd of 3,218, and Hawaii's dominance was evident as they only faced a serious challenge in the third set. After trailing 22-20, Ratkai delivered three consecutive kills, pushing Hawaii to match point at 24-23. Although Utah Tech managed to tie the score again thanks to a kill from Cale Torgerson, a service error followed by a solo block from Ratkai sealed the victory for the Rainbow Wahine.
Ratkai expressed her excitement after the match, stating, “It was a great feeling. I’ve been working on my blocking, and I told Coach Josh (Walker) during the game that I’m going to get a block, and I’m glad I finally did.” Her performance was crucial, as she recorded a hitting percentage of .267 after taking 30 swings. The Rainbow Wahine collectively hit .309, while they limited Utah Tech to a mere .088 hitting percentage.
In addition to Ratkai and Hakas, junior Miliana Sylvester made a significant impact in the middle, contributing eight kills and six blocks, while Rachel Purser added five kills on seven attempts without an error. Coach Josh Walker emphasized the importance of consistency, noting that the team's ability to perform well even without Reid bodes well for their future matches. He reassured fans that Reid's injury is not season-ending.
Utah Tech, now with a record of 2-2, was led by Nana Asiata, who recorded 12 kills. The Trailblazers' setter, Marley Rowe, a Kamehameha alumna, also had a notable match with 15 assists and 10 digs. Despite their efforts, Utah Tech struggled against Hawaii's relentless offense and solid defense.
The Rainbow Wahine started strong, taking an early lead with Purser serving. They quickly built a 5-0 advantage, prompting an early timeout from Utah Tech. Hawaii maintained their momentum, closing the first set with a six-point run, showcasing their efficiency with a hitting percentage of .355 compared to Utah Tech's .091.
In the second set, Hawaii continued to dominate, capitalizing on their serving to disrupt Utah Tech's offense. Senior Leilani Lopez played a pivotal role, helping Hawaii to a quick 3-0 lead. The Rainbow Wahine's offensive prowess was evident as they increased their hitting percentage to .409 in the second set, while Utah Tech struggled with errors.
As the match progressed into the third set, Utah Tech initially found their rhythm, but Hawaii's blocking continued to stifle their offense. The Rainbow Wahine finished the match with a total of nine blocks, further emphasizing their defensive strength.
Hawaii's next challenge comes tonight at 7 PM against Loyola Marymount, who remains undefeated at 4-0 after defeating UC San Diego in their tournament opener. The Rainbow Wahine will look to build on their momentum from this match as they continue in the Outrigger Invitational.
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