In a pivotal fourth set, junior outside hitter Louis Sakanoko lined up for a kill attempt off a second-ball set from junior setter Tread Rosenthal.
The No. 2 ranked University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors men’s volleyball team had swept No. 7 Loyola Chicago the night prior, but the Ramblers came out reenergized in the rematch. After dropping the first two sets, Hawaiʻi mounted a late rally in the fourth, looking to force a decisive fifth set.
Sakanoko was in the midst of his best match of the season, leading the team with 18 kills while adding two aces, 12 digs and two blocks as he spearheaded the Rainbow Warriors’ attack.
“King Louis,” Sakanoko’s affectionate nickname from the Stan Sheriff Center crowd, delivered a thunderous kill to tie the set at 27-all, igniting Bankoh Arena as Hawaiʻi threatened a dramatic comeback.
Moments later, Sakanoko stepped to the service line with a chance to seize momentum and push the match to a fifth set. His toss drifted too far forward, forcing an adjustment midair and sending the serve into the net to give Loyola Chicago (1-1) match point.
The Ramblers capitalized on the opportunity, sealing the upset on the ensuing rally with a block on sophomore middle blocker Ofeck Hazan to defeat the No. 2-ranked Rainbow Warriors, 3–1.
“They just played better, straight up,” head coach Charlie Wade said.
Hawaiʻi (3-1) remained competitive throughout the opening two sets, falling 25–23 and 25–22, before showing signs of life in the third. Down 19–12 and staring at a potential sweep, the Warriors mounted a spirited comeback behind the efforts of Sakanoko and sophomore outside hitter Kristian Titriyski.
“We got amazing fans pushing us, we just cannot give up,” Hazan said. “I think all of the guys did a really good job. Coming in, we served well, got good kills. Really important.”
Sophomore outside hitter Kainoa Wade provided a spark off the bench, rattling off three consecutive points from the service line as Hawaiʻi surged to claim the third set. Wade finished the night with four kills while substituting for Titriyski.
“You’ve got to love the fight,” Wade said. “The guys just kept battling.”
Sophomore outside hitter Adrien Roure quietly delivered an all-around performance, recording nine kills, nine digs and five blocks. While the offense didn’t come easily early on, the Frenchman found his rhythm in sets three and four, contributing on both sides of the ball.
“Adrien did a really nice job settling down and played well down the stretch,” Charlie Wade said.
Despite the loss, Wade and the Rainbow Warriors are taking the result in stride, keeping their focus on the long road toward a national championship in April.
“You’ve got to go out and earn it every night,” Wade said.
Hawaiʻi returns to action Jan. 14 for a doubleheader at the Stan Sheriff Center, facing Roberts Wesleyan at 11 a.m. and Rockhurst University at 7 p.m. The matches will air on ESPN 1420 AM and 92.7 FM.