Make room for banner number three—the Hawaii men's volleyball team has done it again.

In a thrilling comeback for the ages, the second-seeded Rainbow Warriors stormed back from a first-set blowout to capture their third NCAA national championship title, defeating UC Irvine 15-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

After a rocky start where the Anteaters dominated the opening set with a blistering .562 hitting percentage and just one error, Hawaii flipped the script entirely. The Rainbow Warriors found their rhythm, hitting .452 or better in each of the next three sets—including an impressive .538 in the fourth—to seal the victory when it mattered most.

Kristian Titriyski led the charge with a match-high 16 kills, including the championship-clinching point, while Adrien Roure added 15 kills and seven digs. But it was Louis Sakanoko who stole the show, delivering 12 kills, six digs, three blocks, and three consecutive aces in the decisive fourth set. His all-around performance earned him tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.

Middle blockers Justin Todd and Trevell Jordan combined for 12 kills on just 17 swings, providing the foundation for Hawaii's balanced offense that finished with a .410 hitting percentage for the match.

The victory marks a historic milestone for the program: Hawaii's first 30-win season (30-5), with six of those wins coming against Big West rivals Long Beach State and UC Irvine—all on the road or at neutral sites. This championship also gives the university nine NCAA team titles across all sports.

For fans of the game, this was a masterclass in resilience and adjustments. After getting blown out in the first set, the Rainbow Warriors showed why champions are made not just in victory, but in how they respond to adversity. For Hawaii, the answer was clear: play your best when it matters most.