HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine rallied through a physical, see-saw encounter with No. 21 Baylor on Saturday night at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, but the upset bid ended in a five-set loss to the Bears in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.
Close sets, big swings
Hawaii and Baylor split the first four frames before the Bears claimed the decisive fifth, closing out the match 15-9 after alternating set wins: 25-17, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9. The performance capped the tournament’s second day and produced a competitive test for the Rainbow Wahine against a nationally ranked opponent.
UH's offense was driven by outside hitter Cha’lei Reid, who led the team with 21 kills. Middle blocker Miliana Sylvester chipped in with 10 kills and was a force defensively, registering seven blocks. Setter Adrianna Arquette distributed the attack, finishing with 45 assists and adding six blocks, including a momentum-shifting service run in the second set.
Turning points and momentum
The match featured several momentum swings. Baylor’s blocking presence gave the Bears early control in the opener, while Hawaii answered emphatically in the second set largely from the service line.
- Hawaii’s second set was defined by a lengthy service run that included two aces and several kills, allowing UH to even the match.
- Baylor’s net defense finished with 20 blocks for the night, with one player accounting for half of those blocks in the box score.
- Officials’ reviews and quick block combinations in the third set led to a tense stretch late in that frame.
Arquette’s extended time serving in the second set produced a nine-point run that turned the tide in Hawaii’s favor for that period. Sylvester’s combination of timely kills and blocks repeatedly kept the Rainbow Wahine within striking distance across multiple sets.
Familiar faces across the net
The matchup carried added narrative weight: Hawaii head coach Joshua Walker faced players from a program he had helped coach previously. Before the match, he presented Baylor coach Ryan McGuyre with a koa wood knife as a token of appreciation for their years working together on staff.
That prior association was evident in the tactical battle at the net. Baylor used strong blocking early to build leads and again late in the match to blunt Hawaii’s attack, finishing with a hefty block total that included a double-digit mark by one Bear.
Stat snapshot
| Player/Team | Notable Stat |
|---|---|
| Cha’lei Reid (Hawaii) | 21 kills |
| Miliana Sylvester (Hawaii) | 10 kills, 7 blocks |
| Adrianna Arquette (Hawaii) | 45 assists, 6 blocks, 2 aces in service run |
| Baylor (team) | 20 blocks (one player with 10) |
| Final score | 25-17, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9 |
Hawaii showed offensive bursts and defensive stands that kept the contest within reach, but Baylor’s consistency at the net proved decisive in several stretches — particularly in the opening and closing phases of the match.
What it means for the Rainbow Wahine
The close encounter with a top-25 opponent highlights both progress and areas for refinement as Hawaii continues nonconference play. The Wahine produced moments of high-level play, illustrated by Reid’s big kill total and Sylvester’s presence at the net, but they also faced challenges containing Baylor’s block and finishing on offense in critical moments.
The tournament continues to offer a measuring stick for the program as it prepares for the rest of the season. The Wahine will look to build on positive elements from this match — service pressure, timely blocking and balanced setting — while addressing the issues that allowed Baylor to reassert control when it mattered most.
Game details, roster updates and upcoming schedule items were provided in the postgame release from the program.
