Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, January 11, 2025 75° Today's Paper


Sports BreakingTop News

Hawaii men’s volleyball team defeats Harvard in 5 sets

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Hawaii Warriors Alex Parks looked to score against Harvard Crimson Owen Fanning during a men’s NCAA volleyball match on Frida at the SimpliFi Arena, Stan Sheriff Center.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM

Hawaii Warriors Alex Parks looked to score against Harvard Crimson Owen Fanning during a men’s NCAA volleyball match on Frida at the SimpliFi Arena, Stan Sheriff Center.

No. 4 Hawaii fought off three match points in the fifth set and closed on a 5-0 run with Justin Todd recording the game-clinching solo block to lead the Rainbow Warriors to a thrilling 25-17, 25-27, 25-15, 21-25, 16-14 win over Harvard tonight at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

UH trailed 14-11 after calling its final timeout. Todd, thrust into the starting lineup with freshman Ofeck Hazan out, put down a kill on the Crimson’s first match point. Freshman Finn Kearney entered the match and served four straight tough balls that allowed Hawaii (4-0) to pull out the win in a front of a crowd of 4,876.

UH avoided losing to a EIVA team other than Penn State for the first time in 16 matches.

Logan Shepherd and Owen Fanning had 17 kills apiece to lead Harvard (0-2). Kristian Titriyski had a match-high 18 kills for Hawaii and Adrien Roure added 14.

Middle Kurt Nusterer hit .667 with nine kills in 12 swings.

Rosenthal, who finished with a match-high 47 assists, also had six kills in eight swings, seven digs and four blocks.

Hawaii hit .395 while Harvard finishing at a .246 hitting percentage. UH also outblocked the Crimson 15.5 to 5.5.

Up next for Hawaii are matches on Wednesday and next Friday against No. 19 Princeton.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.