By: Kennedy Choo
As 5,685 fans rose to their feet in set three at the Bank of Hawai‘i Arena inside the Stan Sheriff Center, the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team prepared to receive the serve from NJIT, already holding a commanding 24–14 lead.
The Rainbow Warriors (1-0) controlled the first two sets, defeating the Highlanders (0-1) by margins of 14 and 11 in sets one and two, and looked to close out NJIT for a clean sweep in the opening match of the 2026 season.
NJIT redshirt sophomore outside hitter Parker Moorhead sent a jump serve over the net to Hawai‘i sophomore outside hitter Adrien Roure. Junior setter Tread Rosenthal delivered the second ball to sophomore opposite hitter Kristian Titrisyki, who hammered a spike into the Highlanders’ libero.
NJIT scrambled to keep the ball alive and bumped it back over the net. On the return, Rosenthal caught the defense off guard, dumping the ball on second contact from the setter position to seal win number one for the second-ranked Rainbow Warriors.
“It was awesome,” head coach Charlie Wade said. “We haven’t practiced in the arena until today, so we’re super appreciative of the crowd showing out.”
Victory number one not only benefited Wade and company, but also gave fans their first look at the new additions to this year’s Rainbow Warrior squad, highlighted by 6-foot-10 sophomore middle blocker Trevell Jordan.
Jordan, who previously played at Grand Canyon University, saw his program dissolved in Phoenix and chose to continue his young volleyball career in the islands.
“Man, it was electric,” Jordan said. “We didn’t have this at GCU.”
In his debut, Jordan contributed four kills on six swings, along with four digs and six blocks, anchoring a Hawai‘i defense that tallied 13.5 blocks and held NJIT to a .045 hitting percentage.
“We spent a lot more time in the fall this year than we have in a long time focusing on the fastball and being more deliberate,” Wade said. “You’re going to see that as an improvement this year for sure.”
On the other end, the Rainbow Warrior offense hit an efficient .517, committing just four attacking errors. Rosenthal led the way with 26 assists, four kills, and eight blocks, tying his career high.
“I don’t think it was me, I think they were just playing smart,” Rosenthal said, crediting his hitters for the win. “They were staying high and not letting the ball get down to their level. Even if it was a bad set, they kept it in play and just kept playing.”
One of the primary beneficiaries of Rosenthal’s setting was Titrisyki, who finished with a game-high 12 kills on 22 swings, providing an offensive spark in his return from injury last season.
The Rainbow Warriors are set for a rematch against NJIT at 5 p.m. HT on Sunday at the Bank of Hawai‘i Arena inside the Stan Sheriff Center.