With eyes set on a sixth consecutive Big West Conference title, the University of Hawai‘i women’s volleyball team officially opened training camp Monday at Gym II on Lower Campus in preparation for the 2025 season.
Led by head coach Robyn Ah Mow, now entering her eighth season at the helm of her alma mater, the Rainbow Wahine return to the court as one of the most consistent programs in the country, boasting 31 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Despite the departure of key veterans, including setter Kate Lang and libero Tayli Ikenaga, Hawai‘i returns eight players from last year’s squad. That includes standout sophomores Miliana Sylvester and Victoria Leyva, who both played pivotal roles as freshmen.
“The standard comes long before us,” said Sylvester, a middle blocker. “There’s a legacy of Hawai‘i volleyball, from high school all the way up, of having the strongest defense and putting in 100% effort. Even without the coaches, we’ve been holding ourselves to that high standard.”
With a 16-player roster, the Wahine are focusing their two-a-day practices on effort, accountability, and upholding the program’s championship culture.
“We’re watching volleyball, but the biggest thing for us is hustle,” said Leyva, a sophomore libero. “Balls don’t drop here. That came from last year’s leaders. Now it’s on us to keep the level of the game rising.”
Ah Mow echoed those sentiments, emphasizing purpose and mindset as central themes to camp.
“It’s about the effort and the intent,” Ah Mow said. “What’s your intent when you walk in here? When you put on the jersey? We want to make sure nobody’s here just to be here. This program has a culture, and we intend to keep it that way.”
Among the new additions to the roster are local standouts Cha’lei Reed of Kahuku and Kahea Moriwaki of Punahou, who add depth to a roster aiming to reload, not rebuild.
Hawai‘i opens its season on Aug. 29 against Marquette in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.