By Tiff Wells.

December 4: A date so good we just had to go with two different years!

In 2015, the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, seventh-ranked UH faced off against TCU. Even with a 27-1 overall record (16-0 in the Big West Conference), the Rainbow Wahine were not a national seed. Instead, the NCAA Selection Committee shipped the Bows off to College Station, Texas, for the subregional hosted by 10th-seed Texas A&M. With the match tied at one set apiece (17-25, 25-23), the Bows held set point at 24-19…and couldn’t convert as TCU scored the final seven points to take the set 26-24 and a 2-1 lead in the match. UH faced elimination entering set four. A 25-21 victory forced a winner take all fifth set. Nikki Taylor’s 21st kill ended the match as UH won set five, 15-13. Five Rainbow Wahine had ten or more kills: Taylor (21), Olivia Magill (19), Kalei Greeley (16), Tai Manu-Olevao (14) and Emily Maglio (13). Savanah Kahakai led all players with 23 digs. The Bows eventually made it all the way to the Regional Final. To watch this win, please click here:

In 2003, the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and Hawai‘i is at home, facing off against Idaho. Ranked second in the nation, UH made quick work of the visiting Vandals and won in straight sets (30-24, 30-20, 30-21). Kim Willoughby recorded the double (21 kills, 10 digs) and hit .447, while Lily Kahumoku chipped in with 13 kills and 14 digs. Lauren Duggins hit .455 with 13 kills. As a team, UH hit .381 and outdug the Vandals by 10 (49 to 39). Kanoe Kamana‘o recorded 49 assists and 8 digs in the win. This win was the first of four at home, helping UH advance all the way to the Final Four in Dallas.

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