The special place that is Hawaii is not lost on those who travel some 4,700 miles to get here. But it goes beyond the solemn visit to Pearl Harbor, the lightness of a luau and the just plain fun of Hanauma Bay.

It is the way volleyball is "revered," according to Florida coach Mary Wise, that makes coming to Hawaii even more special than enjoying the normal visitor activities.

"There is no other place like this for volleyball and they’ve sustained it for so long," Wise said. "This is the highlight of every one of my players’ careers. To play Hawaii in Hawaii."

The second-ranked Gators (5-0) will do just that when seeing the 16th-ranked Rainbow Wahine (6-1) on Friday night in the 7 p.m. match of the Outrigger Resorts Challenge at the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 3,603 watched Hawaii rebound from its first loss of the season, using 14 blocks and seven aces to sweep San Diego State 25-17, 25-11, 25-21 in 90 minutes on Thursday. However, the Rainbow Wahine — not hitting above .200 in any set — know it will take a much cleaner, much better effort if they will have a chance to upset Florida.

The Gators got a very impressive performance from reigning AVCA national freshman of the year Rhamat Alhassan (12 kills, 0 errors and 9 blocks), as Florida remained undefeated in its fifth consecutive road match with a 25-9, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16 victory over Eastern Washington in Thursday’s first match.

Hawaii will need "better passing for sure," said sophomore libero Savanah Kahakai, who finished with a match-high 11 digs. "Be tougher on our serves, do a better job covering (on the block).

"At the end, maybe we slacked off some things. But, as Coach (Dave Shoji) said, it wasn’t a good win, but it was a win."

It was anything but pretty and it was done with little emotion. Shoji expects that to change Friday.

"We’re excited to play the No. 2 team in the country," he said. "They have a lot of weapons, are a complete team.

"It’s nice to be able to win when you’re not playing that well. We passed poorly again. Passing will be critical tomorrow. We’ll have to pass really well, put some doubt in the minds of their middle blockers."

There was little doubt that Hawaii was the better team Thursday night, but the Wahine did struggle at times to show it. Shoji had said after the loss to UCLA on Sunday that every position would be re-evaluated, but the Wahine went pretty much with the starting lineup that was used in the opening weekend.

"We did a lot of stat-ing this week, and those who played were the better individuals in practice," he said.

Two changes that came earlier were sophomore setter Kendra Koelsch for junior Tayler Higgins, and junior middle Annie Mitchem for sophomore Emily Maglio. Hawaii also used the step-out play more this match than previously, a product of both setters working on their timing with the middles.

Having the best hitting night was senior middle Olivia Magill, putting down five kills with no errors on 10 swings, in addition to seven blocks. Junior hitter Nikki Taylor finished with a match-high 11 kills and three aces and was in on eight blocks.

"It was a win, but we need to be more focused, work more together," said Mitchem, who was in on four blocks. "We weren’t thinking ahead to Florida, but we did watch them (against EWU). Their block is huge."

No. 2 Florida 3, EWU 1

Senior hitter Ziva Recek had a match-high 15 kills and the 6-foot-4 Alhassan — who touches 11-3 — had 12 kills with no errors in 18 swings for the Gators. Florida outblocked EWU 10-3, with Alhassan in on nine, and senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino added a double-double with 42 assists and 15 digs.

The Eagles took advantage of Florida’s 18 service errors, hanging tough after being blown out in Set 1. Senior hitter Allie Schumacher put down 11 kills in a match that lasted 105 minutes.

NO. 16 HAWAII DEF. SAN DIEGO STATE 25-17, 25-11, 25-21