HILO, Hawai'i – An action-packed weekend of NCAA Division-II women's volleyball is coming to the Big Island. The 2024 De Luz Chevrolet Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge stacks six teams for 12 total matches, Sept. 5-7, at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's on-campus Vulcan Gymnasium.

The three-day event, co-hosted by Hawai'i Hilo and HPU, features Cal Poly Humboldt, Western Oregon, Bemidji State (Minnesota) and Saint Martin's (Washington).

"This is an exciting opportunity to co-host a volleyball event of this magnitude right here at home for the first time since 2018," sixth-year Vulcans head coach Chris Leonard said. "We have a great field of teams showcasing the excitement and competition of NCAA Division-II volleyball."

For the Vulcans, it'll be their first home matches of the season after spending the opening weekend, Aug. 30-31, on O'ahu with matchups against Alaska, Alaska Anchorage and Brock University (Canada).

Hawai'i Hilo will first take on Bemidji State Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. followed by the nightcap against Cal Poly Humboldt starting at 7 p.m. The Vulcans return to action on the final day (Sept. 7) of the De Luz Chevrolet Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge with matches against Saint Martin's (10 a.m.) and Western Oregon (7 p.m.).

In the recently released Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, Hawai'i Hilo was voted at the No. 6 spot with HPU at No. 11. Representing the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Cal Poly Humboldt landed at No. 10 while Western Oregon and Saint Martin's of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference came in at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, in their preseason poll. Making the longest trek across the continent and Pacific Ocean is Bemidji State, who was voted No. 11 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The final contest of the weekend between the Vulcans and Wolves will also serve as a homecoming for Western Oregon third-year head coach Kaiao Nahale-a, a Hilo native and Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i class of 2010 graduate.

"It'll be a great look for our team against some tough competition through what will be just the second week of game action," Leonard continued. "We know playing in the Vulcan Gymnasium provides one of the best atmospheres in collegiate volleyball, and we look forward to seeing everyone there."

Each day packs four matches in the time slots of 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Single-game ticket purchases are available at $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65+) and middle/high school students. A three-day pass option is also available for $36 ($21 for seniors and middle/high school students).

All 12 matches will be streamed live online on the new Vulcans video hub through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. Each broadcast is a $15 purchase.

More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/VBchallenge.

Hawai'i Hilo last hosted the Hawai'i Volleyball Challenge in 2018, but the event was delayed and ultimately canceled due to severe flooding from Hurricane Lane.

DAY 1 (SEPTEMBER 5)
10 AM: Cal Poly Humboldt vs Western Oregon
1 PM: Bemidji State vs Hawai'i Hilo
4 PM: Saint Martin's vs HPU
7 PM: Cal Poly Humboldt vs Hawai'i Hilo

DAY 2 (SEPTEMBER 6)
10 AM: Western Oregon vs HPU
1 PM: Saint Martin's vs Bemidji State
4 PM: Cal Poly Humboldt vs HPU
7 PM: Western Oregon vs Bemidji State

DAY 3 (SEPTEMBER 7)
10 AM: Saint Martin's vs Hawai'i Hilo
1 PM: Bemidji State vs HPU
4 PM: Cal Poly Humboldt vs Saint Martin's
7 PM: Hawai'i Hilo vs Western Oregon

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