Down 24-20 and facing match point, the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team were searching for a spark. After a deflating second set in which Hawai’i managed just 14 points against a sharp Cal Poly attack, the Wahine turned to youth, and found a temporary answer.
Freshman outside hitter Cha’lei Reid delivered a crucial kill through the Mustangs’ block to make it 24-21, igniting the Stan Sheriff Center crowd and breathing life into a potential rally. On the next point, senior outside hitter Tyla Reese Mane kept the momentum going, finding the back row for her 10th kill of the night and cutting the deficit to two.
But the comeback stopped there.
Cal Poly sealed the match on the next point, defeating Hawai’i in Mānoa for the first time since Nov. 4, 2023 and sweeping the Wahine at home for the first time since Santa Clara did it that same season.
Hawai’i struggled offensively throughout, finishing with a season-low .104 hitting percentage. The Wahine committed 17 attack errors and nine service errors. Mistakes that ultimately proved costly.
“It’s a lot of unforced errors,” said Associate Head Coach Kaleo Baxter.
The first set saw Hawai’i fighting to stay close, but five service errors tilted the balance in Cal Poly’s favor. Down 21-19, sophomore middle blocker Miliana Sylvester connected on her trademark rainbow slide set from sophomore setter Adrianna Arquette to bring the Wahine within one. Still, the Mustangs responded with four straight points to take the opening frame 25-20.
Cal Poly (13-5, 4-2 Big West Conference) rode that momentum through a dominant second set before closing the door in the third.
Despite the loss, the night featured a standout performance from senior outside hitter Tyla Reese Mane. The ‘Aiea native tallied a career-high 10 kills on 29 swings, hitting a clean .345 with zero errors. She also contributed five digs and provided veteran leadership in tough moments.
“From a player’s standpoint, I think we need to figure out how to get out of our own way, figure out what this slump is,” Mane said.
Still, she remains optimistic as the Wahine look to regroup for the remainder of Big West play.
“Thankfully, we have the opportunity to come back tomorrow, go back to the drawing board, and focus on Santa Barbara,” she added.
The Wahine (6-10, 2-3 BWC) return to action at 5 p.m. Sunday, hosting UC Santa Barbara at the Bank of Hawai’i Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.