Hawaii earned its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA beach volleyball tournament after being awarded an at-large berth in next week’s eight-team event at Gulf Shores, Ala., the NCAA announced today.

The Rainbow Wahine (26-9) will open against defending national champion UCLA (31-3) on Friday at 6 a.m. Hawaii time, in a rematch of last year’s NCAA semifinal won by the Bruins. UCLA also swept the SandBows 5-0 on Feb. 24 at Queen’s Beach.

Two-time national champion USC earned the top seed after defeating UCLA for the Pac-12 title. The Women of Troy open with Atlantic Sun champion Stetson.

Sixth-seeded Cal Poly, which dethroned Hawaii as the Big West champion on Saturday, faces third-seeded Florida State. It’s the first NCAA appearance for the Mustangs, who were given the other at-large berth.

Pepperdine, the fourth seed, plays fifth-seeded LSU.

All of Friday’s matches will be broadcast live on ESPNU.