BeachBows Lose to No. 10 Cal, No. 13 GCU at Home

Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball Faces Tough Losses Against No. 10 Cal and No. 13 GCU

HONOLULU — The excitement in the air was palpable as the No. 16 University of Hawai’i beach volleyball team made its long-awaited return to the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex for what is set to be their final homestand of the season. However, the dreams of a triumphant homecoming were dashed on Saturday as they were narrowly defeated by No. 10 California, 3-2, followed by a more challenging outing against No. 13 Grand Canyon University, resulting in a 4-1 loss.

A Bittersweet Comeback

After a month away from home, the Rainbow Wahine (12-17) were looking to extend their remarkable unbeaten streak of 10 consecutive victories at the Ching Complex, a streak that had endured since last season. Unfortunately, the day unfolded differently.

Match One: A Nail-Biter Against California

In what was billed as a thrilling matchup, the first contest against California found both teams locked in a tight battle. The action commenced with both sides splitting the first four courts. Among the highlights were notable victories by Sydney Amiatu and Kristen Serrano, who secured their first win as a pair with a 23-21, 19-21, 15-9 decision against Marilu Pally and Jenna Colligan.

Dramatic Comebacks

Equally impressive was the performance by Jesse Mann and Jasmine Wandeler, who showcased incredible resilience. Overcoming a 13-10 deficit in their third set, they stunned Cal’s Christina DeRoos and Ella Driebolz with a nail-biting score of 23-21, 18-21, 19-17, ultimately tying the event at 2-2.

The outcome hinged on the match between the top-seeded pairs. Here, Alana Embry and Amirah Ali faced off against Cal’s formidable duo, Emma Donley and Portia Sherman. Despite strong performances that kept the sets competitive, the Rainbow Wahine duo could not clinch the win, falling short with scores of 21-19, 21-18. This match concluded the dual in favor of the Golden Bears.

Match Two: GCU Emerges Victorious

In their second matchup of the day, the Rainbow Wahine were up against the Grand Canyon Antelopes. GCU’s win against UH marked only their third in 13 encounters. While the final score was lopsided, Hawaii displayed commendable spirit, especially at courts No. 2 and 4, where they pushed the Antelopes to three full sets.

Striking back from their earlier defeat, Ali and Embry managed to deliver a standout performance, defeating Ines Piret and Adriana Serrano Ferro in straight sets, with scores of 21-15, 21-19. Sadly, this lone victory wasn’t enough to shift the tide in favor of the Rainbow Wahine.

Looking Ahead: Final Matches on the Horizon

The Rainbow Wahine are set to compete in their last two home matches at the Ching Courts on Sunday. First, they will take on Cal at 3 p.m., then they will rematch against Grand Canyon at 6:30 p.m. This second contest will be televised on Spectrum Sports, offering fans the chance to witness the Rainbow Wahine in action one last time this season. To add to the significance of the day, Ali, Embry, Kendall Kaelin, and Cami Loker will be honored during the Senior Night festivities following the matches.

Final Scores Summary:

Cal 3, Hawai’i 2

• 1. Ali/Embry (UH) def. Donley/Sherman (CAL) 21-19, 21-18
• 1. Caffo/Fisher (CAL) def. Burton/Lorenzo (UH) 21-18, 21-18
• 1. Mann/Wandeler (UH) def. DeRoos/Driebolz (CAL) 23-21, 18-21, 19-17
• 1. Sears/Young (CAL) def. Buschmann/Miller (UH) 21-12, 21-15
• 1. Amiatu/Serrano (UH) def. Pally/Colligan (CAL) 23-21, 19-21, 15-9

Grand Canyon 4, Hawai’i 1

• 1. Ali/Embry (UH) def. Piret/Serrano Ferro (GCU) 21-15, 21-19
• 1. Burton/Lorenzo (UH) def. B. Drake/J. Drake (GCU) 21-12, 17-21, 15-9
• 1. Keefe/Kohl (GCU) def. Mann/Wandeler (UH) 21-13, 21-13
• 1. Garrow/Hladniuk (GCU) def. Buschmann/Miller (UH) 16-21, 21-19, 15-11
• 1. Bolge/Holmer (GCU) def. Amiatu/Kaelin (UH) 21-13, 21-16

Despite the setbacks, the Rainbow Wahine have shown tremendous talent and perseverance throughout the season. As they gear up for their final matches on home turf, fans can only hope to witness a stunning comeback that embodies the spirit of Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball.

Catch the Action!

Join us at the Ching Courts or tune in to Spectrum Sports to support your Rainbow Wahine as they fight to reclaim their winning form! #HawaiiBVB