The University of Hawai’i women’s water polo team, ranked fifth nationally, secured an 11-6 win over No. 11 UC Irvine on Saturday during the Barbara Kalbus Invitational held at the Anteater Aquatics Complex in Irvine, California.
With this result, Hawai’i extended its winning streak against Big West opponents to 27 games, a run that began on February 3, 2024.
Freshman Ariadna Temprano Xambó led the Rainbow Wahine with four goals and six points, matching her season high. Goalkeeper Daisy Logtens made five saves as Hawai’i’s defense limited UC Irvine to just six goals from 25 attempts.
Hawai’i started strong with five goals in the first quarter. Raha Peiravani scored within the opening minute, followed by a power-play goal from Temprano Xambó. After UC Irvine responded with a goal, Hawai’i answered with three more: Camille Radosavljevic scored, Gabrielle Doyle converted another power play, and Asimina Klapsianou finished the run late in the quarter. UC Irvine added one more before the end of the period, leaving Hawai’i ahead 5-2.
In the second quarter, Temprano Xambó netted her second goal. UC Irvine scored twice in this period to reduce Hawai’i’s lead to two goals at halftime.
The third quarter saw UC Irvine score first to close within one. Both defenses then kept each other scoreless for several minutes until Agatha Weston broke through for Hawai’i with a power-play goal late in the quarter, restoring a two-goal margin.
In the final period, Temprano Xambó scored consecutive goals—one on a 6-on-5 advantage—to complete her hat trick and add another soon after. Although UC Irvine managed one more goal, Hawai’i finished strong with additional scores from Weston and Tea Brandon to secure victory and improve their season record to 6-3.
Hawai’i will finish its participation at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Sunday when it faces No. 13 Fresno State for fifth place at 8:30 a.m. Hawai‘i Time (10:30 a.m. Pacific Time).
