Hawaii Swept New Mexico in Volleyball Match
The Hawaii women's volleyball team secured a three-set victory in their Mountain West Conference debut.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Volleyball
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Hawaii defeated New Mexico in straight sets on Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The win marks the team's first victory as a member of the Mountain West Conference.
Why it matters
This match served as Hawaii's introduction to conference play in the Mountain West. The win maintains their perfect all-time record against the Lobos.
Hawaii dominated with 17 kills from Tali Hakas and five aces from Panna Ratkai during the 98-minute match. The team also recorded nine total blocks in front of 4,272 spectators.
The players
Tali Hakas
She is a key offensive contributor for the Hawaii women's volleyball team who recorded 17 kills in the match.
Hawaii Women's Volleyball Team
The team competes at the collegiate level and has now successfully begun its transition into the Mountain West Conference.
New Mexico Women's Volleyball Team
The Lobos program is currently navigating a difficult season and has lost six consecutive matches.
Panna Ratkai
She serves as a versatile player for Hawaii who tallied six kills and five aces during the recent victory.
The details
Playing at Bankoh Arena, Hawaii controlled the pace throughout the three sets to secure the win. New Mexico struggled to gain momentum, with Reagan Miller leading the visitors with 10 kills.
Timeline
The match took place on September 25, 2026.
A second match between the teams is scheduled for September 26, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win establishes an early positive momentum for Hawaii as they adjust to the competition levels within the Mountain West Conference. The result keeps the team in a strong position for future seeding while forcing New Mexico to seek a turnaround in their struggling season.
Hawaii moves to a 1-0 record in Mountain West play, solidifying their standing in the new conference hierarchy. Meanwhile, New Mexico remains winless in the conference with a 0-1 record as their losing streak extends to six games.
The takeaway
Hawaii continues to rely on balanced offensive production to maintain its momentum in conference play. Fans should look for how the team adjusts to repeated matchups against the same opponent over the weekend.
What happens next
The teams are scheduled to meet for their second match on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.
Further reading
For more on local matches, check out our Volleyball section.
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