Hawai’i Pacific Opens 2026 Season at Alaska/Hawai’i Challenge

HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific opened the 2026 season at the Alaska/Hawai'i Challenge, hosted by Hawai'i Hilo at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, facing Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage in its opening weekend. The Sharks dropped both matches in straight sets, falling to Alaska Fairbanks, 25-16, 28-26, 25-14, before concluding the tournament with a 25-15, 25-20, 25-18 loss to Alaska Anchorage. Against Alaska Fairbanks, HPU was led offensively by Sophia Cooper, who recorded a team-high 12 kills. Kare Ann Oshiro added six kills while hitting .313, and Katherine Michelbook was efficient in limited opportunities, finishing with four...