The Maui News

The top-ranked University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team swept past UC Irvine on Saturday night, completing the program’s first undefeated regular season.

Rado Parapunov led the Rainbow Warriors (15-0, 10-0 Big West Conference) with 13 kills and five aces in the 25-17, 25-18, 25-13 victory at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

King Kekaulike High School graduate Colton Cowell added eight kills, eight digs and an ace for UH, which also went undefeated in conference play for the third time in school history and the first time since 1996.

A night after being pushed to five sets, the Rainbow Warriors quickly dispatched the Anteaters in just over an hour and a half on Senior Night. The match featured just eight ties and one lead change as UH dominated in every statistical category: hitting (.385 percent to .148), blocking (8.5 blocks to 5.0) and serving (10 aces to one).

Joel Schneidmiller and Fran­cesco Sani each posted nine kills for UC Irvine (2-13, 2-8).

After the match, Hawaii’s seniors — Cowell, Parapunov, Patrick Gasman, Gage Worsley, Jackson Van Eekeren and James Anatassiades — were honored in a toned-down but still emotional ceremony that included messages played on the arena videoboard from each of their families. Despite no spectators being allowed in the arena, the seniors were still draped in many lei as family and friends were allowed to drop them off earlier in the day.

Attention now turns to the Big West tournament, which will be played at SimpliFi Arena. UH, the top seed, will take on the winner of Thursday’s match between UC San Diego and Cal State Northridge in Friday’s semifinals. All tournament matches are set to be televised on Spectrum Sports.

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Big West Tournament

At Honolulu

Thursday • First Round

No. 3 Long Beach St. vs. No. 6 UC Irvine, 4:35 p.m.

No. 4 UC San Diego vs. No. 5 Cal State Northridge, 7:05 p.m.

Friday • Semifinals

No. 2 UC Santa Barbara vs. Long Beach State-UC Irvine winner, 4:35 p.m.

No. 1 Hawaii vs. UC San Diego-Cal State Northridge winner, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday • Championship

Semifinals winners, 7:05 p.m.