The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors thought they had it figured out. Three matches, not one opponent reaching 20 points. Enter Loyola Chicago.
The Ramblers' Revenge
Friday night, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers showed up with a plan. They flipped the script with a thrilling 25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 29-27 win over the No. 2 team in the nation. This wasn't just a victory; it was a statement.
Ryan McElligott was the maestro. Five aces, 40 assists, 11 digs. The man ran the show. Aleksandar Sosa backed him up with 19 kills on .378 hitting. That's how you take over a match.
Hawaii's Wake-Up Call
Hawaii's coach, Charlie Wade, had to tip his hat: "They played great. Hat’s off to them." The Rainbow Warriors were left scrambling, rallying from a 19-12 deficit in the third but couldn't close the deal.
Louis Sakanoko led Hawaii with 18 kills on .243 hitting, but it wasn't enough. "We didn’t pass well enough," Sakanoko admitted. That's the reality check.
The Turning Point
Kainoa Wade brought energy off the bench, sparking a rally in the third set. But facing five match points, even a diving save from Rosenthal couldn’t turn the tide.
Quintin Greenidge, the first-year libero, showed promise with 13 digs. But the Rainbow Warriors now know they can't coast. A wake-up call, loud and clear.
Four more home matches ahead, but let’s be real—the target is on Hawaii's back now. Can they handle it?
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Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
