The Hawaii women’s volleyball team is embracing a new chapter under head coach Joshua Walker, who emphasizes the importance of every player being prepared to contribute. After three matches into his tenure, the Rainbow Wahine have shown that depth will be a key component of their strategy this season.
During the recent Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic, Hawaii finished with a 1-2 record, marking a challenging start for Walker. However, the team demonstrated its potential, with nine of the 15 players seeing action in at least 10 of the opening 12 sets. The Rainbow Wahine secured a victory against Georgia Southern and pushed then-No. 21 Baylor to five sets before falling to San Diego.
Senior Tali Hakas, who played in all 12 sets of the tournament, highlighted the team’s collective effort, stating, “That’s the game. Everybody has a place on the team and it’s beautiful to see that everybody can contribute.” Hakas, who was called off the bench during the loss to San Diego, emphasized the importance of being ready to step up at any moment.
As the team prepares for the Outrigger Invitational, which begins tonight at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, they will face Utah Tech in their opening match. The tournament will also feature matches against Loyola Marymount and UC San Diego, providing Hawaii with an opportunity to build momentum early in the season.
Utah Tech, coached by Kahuku alumna Camilla Hafoka, enters the tournament with a 2-1 record. The Trailblazers feature two players from Kamehameha Schools, libero Kaleinani Watson and setter Marley Roe, adding a local flair to the matchup. Hawaii will also look to continue its success against UC San Diego, having won both encounters last season before the Tritons transitioned out of the Big West.
First-year head coach Spencer McLachlin leads the Toreros, who have a rich history with Hawaii. McLachlin, a Punahou alumnus, previously served as an assistant coach for the Rainbow Wahine men’s program before taking the helm at San Diego. He reflected on the connections between the two coaches, stating, “I like to joke that I was able to help set the table and then (Walker) was able to take it to the next level.”
Hawaii has a strong historical record against San Diego, boasting an 11-0 record in their previous meetings. Their match against Utah Tech will mark the first meeting between the two programs, adding an element of intrigue to the tournament.
Among the newcomers on the roster is sophomore Maeli Cormier, who made an immediate impact by contributing seven kills in her first match with Hawaii. A transfer from Oregon State, Cormier noted the supportive environment in Hawaii, stating, “The community is so involved in it and passionate about it and I think that’s why this is such a fun place to me.”
In addition to Cormier, junior middle blocker Miliana Sylvester earned recognition by making the all-tournament team with 12 blocks, leading the Mountain West in that category. The team’s defensive efforts have also been impressive, as their 134 digs rank first in the conference. Junior setter Adrianna Arquette has been pivotal in orchestrating the offense, averaging 8.83 assists per set and surpassing 1,000 career assists.
As the Outrigger Invitational unfolds, Hawaii will look to harness its depth and team spirit to secure victories and build on the foundation laid in the opening matches of the season.
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