A day after qualifying for the third round of the FIVB World Championships, the U.S. men’s national volleyball team used its reserves to remain undefeated at 8-0 on Sunday. Led by backup setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani), the Americans hit .523 when sweeping Iran 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 in the final match of Round 2 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“We played a lot of guys who haven’t played so much in the tournament,” said Shoji, who had two blocks, including the match-ender. “For us, it was really an exciting match. We were ready and we wanted to improve. I think our focus was there. Our energy was there. It was fun to be able to play together.”

Reserve middle blocker Taylor Averill (University of Hawaii) had six points on four kills and two blocks. The two other island prep products — setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) and libero Erik Shoji (Punahou) — did not play.

The third round begins on Wednesday in Torino, Italy. The schedule has not been announced.

UH soccer routs Grand Canyon

The Hawaii soccer team posted an emphatic 4-0 win over Grand Canyon to conclude conference play on Sunday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

By defeating North Dakota State and GCU on consecutive days, UH (5-3-1) won the three-team Rainbow Wahine Shootout as it looks ahead to its most meaningful matches. UH opens Big West play at UC Irvine on Friday followed by a game at Cal State Northridge on Sunday.

Coach Michele Nagamine went to an aggressive 4-3-3 formation and got goals from Lei Medeiros (fifth of the season); Raisa Strom-Okimoto (fifth); Mikaelah Johnson Griggs (second); and Jenna Williams (first). Medeiros got things started by drawing and taking a penalty shot in the 18th minute.

“It worked out,” Strom-Okimoto said of the new formation, which featured her at forward instead of attacking midfielder. “But the Big West is a whole different kind of play. We hope we can transfer this to conference and get some wins.”

Strom-Okimoto’s back-post header, which came on a lob from Natalie Dixon in the 20th minute for a 2-0 lead, was the senior co-captain’s 15th career goal, tying her for ninth in the Wahine record books with Tricia Nishikawa.

The Antelopes (3-9) pressured the Wahine defensive third early on but by the middle of the second half the WAC team — which lost to NDSU on Thursday — was the gassed side, not UH, which finished playing NDSU about 24 hours prior to Sunday’s kickoff.

Goalkeeper Lex Mata was not seriously tested in recording her second straight shutout, and fourth of the season.