April 20

Big West championship match vs. Long Beach State

Hawaii wins 25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 15-8

It was No. 1 vs. No. 2 for the all-important automatic NCAA berth. The 49ers had ended the Warriors’ perfect season the previous week at the Walter Pyramid, with the Beach claiming the Big West regular-season title with two five-set victories.

Although Hawaii’s resume was beyond strong when discussing NCAA at-large consideration, considering the snub of 2018 the Warriors had said all season they didn’t want to leave anything up to chance or a selection committee. The Big West tournament title match was the hottest ticket in decades for a contest of any kind at the Stan Sheriff Center … and it did not disappoint.

For the second time in three Saturdays, “Pack The Stan” was a reality … a very loud reality. The thunderous cheering began with the teams receiving a standing ovation while walking out on the court before the national anthem and “Hawaii Pono’i.” It continued for every point over the next 2 hours and 50 minutes, including the deafening roar as senior setter Joe Worsley went back to serve aloha ball at 14-8.

The record-tying crowd of 10,300 barely had time to stand and begin the “Viking Thunder Clap” when senior middle Dalton Solbrig put down the service overpass to end the marathon and give the Warriors their first conference title and automatic spot in their sixth NCAA tournament appearance. It extended Hawaii’s home winning streak to 17 dating back to last season and completed the program’s second undefeated home season at 16-0.

Senior hitter Stijn van Tilburg was named the tournament MVP, putting down a match-high 25 kills with no errors, hitting .543. Six kills came in Set 5. Junior hitter Colton Cowell added his first career double-double with career highs of 18 kills and 12 digs and Joe Worsley tied his career high with 59 assists.