News Summary
The UCLA Bruins defeated the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship, ending Hawaii’s season at 27-6. The match, held in Columbus, saw the Bruins showcase superior performance with a decisive sweep. Hawaii’s struggles in the postseason against UCLA continue, as they have yet to secure a victory against them in NCAA Tournament history. Looking ahead, Hawaii’s players remain motivated to learn and improve for future seasons.
Columbus
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors faced a tough defeat at the hands of the UCLA Bruins in the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The match, held at the Covelli Center in Columbus, ended decisively with the Bruins sweeping the Rainbow Warriors with set scores of 25-14, 25-23, and 25-23.
This loss concluded the Rainbow Warriors’ season with a record of 27-6, which ties for the third-most wins in the program’s history. It also marked Hawaii’s continued struggles against UCLA in the postseason, as they have never secured a victory against them in the NCAA Tournament and now hold a dismal 1-9 record against the Bruins.
Match Performance
The Bruins, who are the two-time defending champions and third-seeded in this year’s tournament, displayed exceptional performance throughout the match. Sean Kelly led the Bruins with 13 kills, and Zach Rama added another 10 kills. In terms of attacking efficiency, UCLA recorded a hitting percentage of .370, while Hawaii struggled to achieve a season-low hitting percentage of .188.
Defensively, UCLA outperformed Hawaii significantly, outblocking them 11-4 and outdug them 34-22. The Bruins also capitalized on serving, achieving six service aces, compared to Hawaii’s three. For the Rainbow Warriors, Adrien Roure was the standout performer, scoring 12 kills and hitting at .333.
Impact of the Match
Hawaii’s inability to capture momentum was evident, particularly in the first set, where the Bruins established an early lead with an 8-0 run. The Rainbow Warriors struggled to recover from this initial setback. The team’s final point in the third set came due to a red card issued to UCLA, a rare event in such crucial matches.
This defeat marks Hawaii’s first loss in the NCAA semifinals since 2017. The team had enjoyed considerable success in recent years, advancing to the finals in each of their previous tournament appearances from 2019 to 2023, and securing two national championships during that stretch.
Looking Ahead
Following the conclusion of the match, both players and coaches of the Rainbow Warriors were welcomed back by enthusiastic fans at the Stan Sheriff Center in Hawaii. Coach Charlie Wade expressed pride in his team for their growth and accomplishments, particularly for reaching the national semifinals this season despite the disappointment of this loss.
Despite the setback, Hawaii is set on improving for the future. Setter Tread Rosenthal spoke about the team’s motivation to learn from the experience and be prepared for the upcoming season. As the Rainbow Warriors reflect on their performance in this season and the lessons learned throughout their journey, they remain focused on future goals.
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Additional Resources
- Star Advertiser: UCLA Ends Rainbow Warriors Season in National Semis
- Hawaii News Now: UH Men’s Volleyball Downs Penn State
- Hawaii News Now: Play Like It’s Your Last Game
- Wikipedia: University of Hawaii
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
