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Rainbow Wahine sweep Penn State

Cindy Luis
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Hawaii’s Kalei Greeley (11) and Olivia Magill (9) celebrate their win over Penn State today during the first round of the NCAA Division I college volleyball championship in Des Moines, Iowa. (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP)

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Hawaii’s Tai Manu-Olevao (10) spikes the ball past Penn State’s Megan Courtney (17) and Heidi Thelen (19) today during the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship in Des Moines, Iowa. (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP)

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Hawaii’s Tai Manu-Olevao (10) looks on as Hawaii’s Savanah Kahakai (15) gets under the ball today during the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship in Des Moines, Iowa. (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP)

DES MOINES, IOWA >> Led by junior opposite Nikki Taylor’s 18 kills and 14 from senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao, unseeded Hawaii eliminated two-time defending national champion Penn State 25-22, 27-25, 25-16 in today’s NCAA regional semifinal.

Senior middle Olivia Magill added nine kills with no hitting errors, and sophomore Kalei Greeley had eight as the Rainbow Wahine (29-1) reached the regional final for the first time since 2009. It also was the first time Hawaii had defeated Penn State in six meetings.

The Rainbow Wahine will face second-seeded Minnesota (29-4) at 1:30 p.m. Hawaii time on Saturday. The match will be broadcast on ESPNU.

The Golden Gophers swept Illinois 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 in today’s first match.

Aiyana Whitney led the Nittany Lions (28-6) with 10 kills.

26 responses to “Rainbow Wahine sweep Penn State”

  1. serious says:

    Let’s schedule a PARADE!!!!

    • oxtail01 says:

      UH can’t afford it, State can’t afford it Why don’t you and others like you just make monetary donations to UH athletics and make a real difference.

      • inverse says:

        What is that union rules where a group of people show great success and everyone else gets rewarded? I would be willing to donate money ONLY to benefit Shoji and the UH Wahine volleyball team for their accomplishments and NOT for all of UH athletics like helping to pay off for failures like Chow, Arnold and BJ.

        • RSYmoney says:

          You can donate directly only to the women’s volleyball program. Call the UH Athletic Dept for details. Now put your money with your mouth is. Union Rules do not apply for donations. Waiting for your reply.

        • Eradication says:

          Yours must be a sad life. One of the greatest victories in UH Women’s volleyball history and you two sad sacks have to find something to whine about.

        • inverse says:

          Eradication: What, oxtail started this whole money thing…. RSYmoney: With a screen name like yours you must work at the UH financial department. I WILL inquire about donating to UH ONLY to womens volleyball as I and Pacificsports where overly critical of Shoji and his team success deserves to be rewarded. I refuse to reward and support incompetence and failure such as the other parts of UH that I mentioned. UH better be on the up and up and do what they say with any specifically designated donation.

  2. kimo says:

    This win was so sweet! This has to be the best team effort yet. Everyone played extremely well. Kahakai, again, took the heart out of the PSU hitters with unbelievable dig after dig. The D was awesome; the blocking was unbelievable. TMO relaxed, played her game, and was unstoppable. On to the quarter final against Minnesota tomorrow night. Go ‘Bows!

  3. heluhelu says:

    You BELIEVED and we believe too! Now please try to get some rest. NCAA elves slotted Wahine for 1:30pm start tomorrow (v. MIN)

  4. vosot says:

    Wow. Very impressive! Personally, I am satisfied with the season they have had no matter how it goes from here. To make the regionals and knock off the defending champs is gratifying and sends a message to the selection committee which consistently screws with the team when it comes to hosting and seeding: you biased guys suck. Congrats and good luck!

  5. amela says:

    Congratulations, AWESOME. Bring us back to the glory days!

  6. paniolo says:

    Congratulations…bring home DA BIG ONE.

  7. islandsun says:

    Beating Minnesota would be fantastic

  8. kk808 says:

    Amazing game! Go Wahine!

  9. jimmyhouse67 says:

    A poster from an earlier article posted the following statement, “Pure and simple, the UH Wahine as a team are NOT at the level or even being close to competing to be national champions.” I’d like to think that they have proven otherwise no matter what happens from here on out. Good Luck Wahine. jimmyhouse67@aol.com

  10. teeman says:

    Congrats Wahines! Well done.

  11. lokela says:

    Congrats! Take it one game at a time. Go Wahine!

  12. krusha says:

    Keep on rolling Wahine! Seems like they are getting stronger and stronger each game they play. Shock the nation again and make this a season to remember!

  13. nomu1001 says:

    One of the things I enjoyed most about the win over Penn State was how much everyone on the team was supporting each other. Priceless.

  14. 808Cindy says:

    Congratulations Wahine!!!! Na Wahine DOMINATED this team!!! Wahine looked all business during the whole match, especially during that second game … looked cool, composed, focused and on purpose! reflexes were quick and controlled with ball control and worked one point at a time. This team is peaking at the right time to pull it off, just three more matches!!! We BELIEVE in Na Wahine!!! Imua Wahine!!!

  15. Dawg says:

    THIS IS A TEAM THA REPRESENTS! Thank you for setting a great example for our young ladies, not like those loser soccer tita’s and their weak coach Naga-loser. All the way girls and we love you!

  16. hayabob says:

    Congrats to the Rainbow Wahine. Auwe to StarAdvertiser for a truly sad write up of a great win.

    For those of us who could not watch, Mahalo to Penn State Athletics for a great recap of the match.

    See http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/121115aaa.html

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