The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team arrived back in Honolulu on Tuesday carrying the NCAA championship trophy, days after defeating UC Irvine in four sets to claim the program’s third national title. Fans gathered on campus to welcome the Rainbow Warriors home, turning the team’s return into another emotional moment in what coaches and players described as an unforgettable week.
Hawaii secured the 2026 NCAA men’s volleyball championship with a 3-1 win over UC Irvine in Los Angeles on Monday, rebounding from a first-set loss to take control of the match. The Rainbow Warriors won by scores of 15-25, 25-18, 25-18 and 25-20, capping a season that ended with a 30-5 record and another major milestone for one of the sport’s premier programs.
The title was especially significant because it restored Hawaii to the top of the college men’s volleyball landscape after previous championship runs in 2021 and 2022. It also marked the team’s eighth appearance in the NCAA final, further underlining the program’s consistency under head coach Charlie Wade.
As the team stepped back onto home soil, associate head coach Kupono Fey summed up the mood by calling it the “best week ever.” The reaction around campus reflected just how deeply the championship resonated with local supporters, many of whom turned out simply to thank the players for another memorable season.
Among the central figures in the title run was outside hitter Louis Sakanoko, who was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. He played a major role in Hawaii’s balanced attack and all-around defensive effort during the final, while opposite Kristian Titriyski led the team with 16 kills. Adrien Roure and Sakanoko added 15 and 12 kills respectively, and Hawaii finished the championship match hitting .410 with 11 blocks.
The celebration at home also came after a season that was far from smooth. Wade said the team dealt with injuries, illness, travel disruptions and other off-court difficulties over the course of the year. Yet Hawaii managed to stay composed when it mattered most, finishing the season with the kind of performance championship teams are remembered for.
There was also a personal element to the triumph for Wade, whose son, Kainoa Wade, is part of the squad. The veteran coach said sharing the title with his son made the moment even more meaningful, adding another layer to a championship that already carried strong emotional weight for the program and its fan base.
Hawaii’s postseason path also added to the scale of the achievement. The Rainbow Warriors beat Southern California in the regional round, then knocked off Long Beach State in the national semifinal before defeating UC Irvine in the championship match. That closing stretch required Hawaii to overcome elite opposition at exactly the right time.
The team’s return home did not mark the end of the festivities. University officials scheduled a public championship celebration for Wednesday evening at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center, with fans invited to honor the players and coaching staff. The event is expected to draw another strong crowd as Hawaii continues to celebrate one of the biggest achievements in the school’s recent sports history.
Just as notable as the trophy itself was the connection between the team and its supporters. Players said the backing they received was not limited to home matches, noting that Hawaii fans showed up loudly even when the team was on the road. That level of support has long been one of the defining features of Hawaii volleyball, and this championship run gave the fan base another moment to cherish.
For now, the Rainbow Warriors are home, the trophy is back in Hawaii, and the program has added another championship chapter to its legacy. After a demanding season filled with setbacks and pressure, Hawaii did more than survive the journey — it finished as the last team standing, giving its supporters a title celebration that will be remembered for years.
