(Getty Images)
After 14 seasons at the helm of the men’s volleyball program, UC Irvine head coach David Kniffin watched his team catch fire at the perfect moment, orchestrating a series of upsets that he hopes the players will cherish more than the championship defeat. The Anteaters fell to Hawaii in the NCAA Division I national title game Monday at Pauley Pavilion, but Kniffin emphasized the pride his squad should feel.
“These guys have a lot to be proud of this season,” Kniffin said. “I feel it is the most important thing in the world.”
UC Irvine returned to the national championship match for the first time since 2013, but they could not overcome the Rainbow Warriors (30-5, 9-1 Big West). The unranked Anteaters (21-9, 5-5) made an unforgettable playoff run, first knocking off top-ranked UCLA in the quarterfinals with a 4-3 victory (25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 16-14). They then followed that with a 3-1 win over No. 4 Ball State in the semifinals (25-19, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19).
In the championship match, however, Hawaii proved too strong, topping UC Irvine 3-1 (25-15, 18-25, 18-25, 20-25). The Anteaters received a boost from their alumni, who filled the stands at Pauley Pavilion and provided emotional support that meant a lot to Kniffin.
“I’m watching these guys become fathers, husbands and so on,” Kniffin said of his former players. “Most of these guys didn’t get a chance to win the national championship, but they are crushing it in life right now.”
UC Irvine jumped out to a commanding lead in the first set, winning 25-15, but the second set saw them fall behind despite a brief 3-0 run that brought them within 15-11. Hawaii’s front four ultimately sparked a 25-18 set win. The third set featured nine ties and two lead changes before Hawaii pulled away to take it 25-18. In the fourth, UC Irvine built a 6-4 advantage, but Hawaii’s outside hitter Louis Sakanoko delivered an ace that ignited a 4-0 run for the Rainbow Warriors. Andreas Brinck tied it at 9-9, but Hawaii responded with a decisive 5-0 run to take a 23-18 lead and seal the match.
“I just want to say congratulations to Kniffin and UCI for a fantastic season,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “We don’t get here without the support of a lot of people, and I’ve always said this, but volleyball is a big deal in our community. This matters.”
