Hawaii wins first conference title in program history in five-set classic over Long Beach State
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - For the first time in program history, the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team are conference champions.
Hawaii took down Long Beach State Saturday night in a five-set thriller (25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 15-8) in front of a sold-out crowd at the Stan Sheriff Center to win the Big West Tournament championship. The 'Bows have now earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
The Warriors went up two sets and nearly earned the sweep before the 49ers came alive and extended the match to a fourth frame.
In the fourth, Long Beach State came alive and forced a fifth. LBSU took down Hawaii twice in five-sets last weekend, but the Warriors didn’t let the 49ers get the better of them this time around and dominated in the final set to win the title.
With the win, Hawaii snaps a three-year losing streak to LBSU in conference title matchups dating back to 2017 when both teams played in the MPSF.
It also marked the first time in school history -- MPSF or Big West -- that Hawaii has won a conference in six tries.
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