UC Irvine proud of its NCAA tournament run despite loss in men's volleyball title game

"These guys have a lot to be proud of this season," Kniffin said. "I feel it is the most important thing in the world." The Anteaters returned to the men's volleyball championship game on Monday for the first time since 2013, but the team came up short against Hawaii (30-5, 9-1 Big West). The unranked Anteaters (21-9, 5-5) knocked off No. 1 UCLA in the quarterfinals, winning 4-3 (25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 16-14)."

"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." The Anteaters had alumni cheering them on during the title tilt at Pauley Pavilion. That support was especially meaningful to Kniffin."

"UC Irvine held a sizable lead in the first set against the Rainbow Warriors and eventually pulled away to win 25-15. The Anteaters couldn't get anything going in the second set despite being within distance of the Rainbow Warriors. The Anteaters went on a 3-0 run to make it 15-11, but Hawaii's front four proved to be a problem as the group sparked a 25-15 set win."

"The Anteaters started the third set down 2-0 to the Rainbow Warriors, but they tied it 3-3. Hawaii and UC Irvine finished the set with nine ties and two lead changes. Hawaii pulled away to win the set 25-18. UC Irvine started the fourth set with a"

UC Irvine men’s volleyball coach David Kniffin led the Anteaters for 14 seasons and watched the team peak at the right time. The Anteaters returned to the national championship match for the first time since 2013, but lost to Hawaii at Pauley Pavilion. UC Irvine, unranked, beat No. 1 UCLA in the quarterfinals in a five-set match and then defeated No. 4 Ball State in four sets in the semifinals. Hawaii won the championship in four sets. Kniffin emphasized pride in the season and noted former players’ success in life, including becoming fathers and husbands. Alumni support at the match added meaning.

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