By: Kennedy Choo

After two 25-19 sets, the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team found themselves in a competitive third, exchanging points back-and-forth. A pass to the middle from sophomore setter Adrianna Arquette to sophomore middle blocker Maddie Way delivered a thundering kill, sending a jolt of energy to the ‘Bows, giving them a 20-19 lead.

 Utah State answered with two points of their own, but a pass from Arquette found junior outside hitter Tali Hakas for a game-tying point at 21-21. Freshman outside hitter Cha’lei Reid blocked the ensuing Aggie attack to take the lead 22-21. Despite the late push, Hawai’i could not close out 25-23, falling in straight sets on night two of the 2025 Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.

Reid made her presence known, scoring a team-high 11 kills, one ace, and four blocks. Already leading 4-3 in the third set, sophomore libero Victoria Leyva popped a pass to the freshman, who hammered down a kill to extend the Wahine’s lead to 5-3.

Reid followed it up with a block on Aggie senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow to extend the lead to 6-3.

The Wahine maintained a slim lead mid set, but Utah State sophomore outside hitter Loryn Helgesen rattled off three straight kills to bring the Aggies within two points with Hawai’i leading 16-14. A service error by Arquette and Utah State sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe’s ace tied the set 16-all, shifting the momentum to the visiting side

Way kept Hawai’i in it, hitting a clutch kill to the middle to give the ‘Bows an 18-17 lead.  After another Helgesen kill, senior outside hitter Tyla Reese Mane responded with a hammer shot from Leyva to give the Wahine a 19-18 lead. Way added another timely kill from Arquette to give the Wahine a 20-19 lead in a tense third set. But, the Wahine could not hold on.

The Rainbow Wahine take on San Diego (2-0) at 5 p.m. tonight at the Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.