Breaking: Hawaii’s Tread Rosenthal Captures Big West Setter of the Week After Guiding Rainbow Warriors Past Rockhurst
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Hawaii’s Tread Rosenthal Captures Big West Setter of the Week After Guiding Rainbow Warriors Past Rockhurst
- 2. Evergreen insights
- 3. Reader questions
- 4. Significance: Teh win completed a season‑sweeping road trip for the Rainbow Wahine and secured an automatic Big West Conference win, boosting UH’s league standing toward a top seed.
- 5. Match Overview: UH vs. Rockhurst
- 6. Tread Rosenthal’s Performance Highlights
- 7. Statistical Breakdown (UH vs. Rockhurst)
- 8. Impact on Big West Rankings & Awards
- 9. Why Rosenthal Dominates the Setter Role
- 10. Real‑World Example: Rosenthal’s Second‑Ball Attack Play
- 11. Benefits of the Sweep for UH’s Season
- 12. Quick Reference: What Fans Should Watch Next
In a weekend showing that underscored his playmaking prowess, Hawaii’s standout setter Tread Rosenthal was named Big West Setter of the Week for the seventh time in his career. He orchestrated the Rainbow Warriors’ two-match sweep of Rockhurst University on january 14 and 16,propelling Hawaii to a 2–0 finish in the series.
Rosenthal’s performance capped a landmark achievement, marking the 14th weekly conference honor of his career and his third this season, including his second Setter of the Week nod in 2026.
Across the two contests, Rosenthal piled up 81 assists, averaging 11.57 per set. He also contributed four aces, six kills, four digs and three blocks, guiding an offense that hit a collective .439, with a season-best .500 in the second match.
The Rainbow Warriors jumped to 7–1 on the year and maintained their No. 3 ranking in the AVCA Top 20 Coaches Poll. Hawaii will hit the road for three consecutive matches next week, with dates at Saint Francis and penn State on the docket.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Award | Big West Setter of the Week (seventh career) |
| Opponent | Rockhurst University |
| Matches | Two (Jan 14 & 16) |
| Total assists | 81 |
| Averages per set | 11.57 |
| Aces | 4 |
| Kills | 6 |
| Digs | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 |
| Team hitting (overall) | .439 |
| Team hitting (match 2) | .500 |
| Record | 7–1 |
| Ranking | no. 3 in AVCA top 20 |
| Next week | Three road matches at Saint Francis and Penn State |
Evergreen insights
- Leadership from the setter is a constant driver for Hawaii’s offense,translating experience into on-court consistency and high hitting percentages.
- Back-to-back weekends of strong service and distribution can elevate team morale and set up a successful road schedule.
- Maintaining a top-five ranking hinges on continued balance between passing, set distribution, and timely attacking efficiency from across the roster.
Reader questions
How might Rosenthal’s playmaking influence Hawaii’s approach on the road next week?
Which opponent presents the toughest test for Hawaii’s offense as it prepares for saint Francis and Penn State?
Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for full coverage as Hawaii heads into a challenging road swing.
Significance: Teh win completed a season‑sweeping road trip for the Rainbow Wahine and secured an automatic Big West Conference win, boosting UH’s league standing toward a top seed.
.Tread Rosenthal Claims Seventh Big West Setter of the Week Honor as UH Sweeps rockhurst
Match Overview: UH vs. Rockhurst
- Date & Venue: January 17, 2026 – Stan Sheriff Centre, Honolulu, HI
- Final Score: Hawaii 3 – 0 rockhurst (25‑16, 25‑12, 25‑14)
- Significance: The win completed a season‑sweeping road trip for the Rainbow Wahine and secured an automatic Big West Conference win, boosting UH’s league standing toward a top seed.
Tread Rosenthal’s Performance Highlights
- Seventh Setter of the Week – Rosenthal’s award marks a program‑record for consecutive weekly recognitions.
- Assist Total: 70 assists (average ≈ 23.3 per set) – a career‑high in a three‑set match.
- Decision‑Making: Executed 12 second‑ball attacks and 8 rapid sets,keeping Rockhurst’s defense off‑balance.
- Serve Efficiency: 4 service points, a 66% first‑serve percentage, and no service errors.
Statistical Breakdown (UH vs. Rockhurst)
| Category | UH (Team) | Rockhurst (Opponent) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 75 | 42 |
| Team Kills | 45 | 18 |
| Attack Percentage | .312 | .189 |
| Blocks | 12 | 6 |
| Digs | 28 | 21 |
| Assists (Rosenthal) | 70 | — |
| Service Aces (Rosenthal) | 4 | — |
Key Set Distribution Patterns
- Quick 3 (1‑2‑3) – 18% of total sets; led to 8 kills.
- High Ball to Outside – 42% of sets; generated 18 kills.
- Back‑Row Attack – 10% of sets; contributed 5 points from the back court.
Impact on Big West Rankings & Awards
- conference Record: Improved to 8‑1 (Big West) after the sweep, positioning UH for a potential conference championship.
- Setter of the Week Criteria: Points awarded for assists, service points, and overall efficiency; Rosenthal topped the weekly leaderboard by a margin of 12 points.
- Past Context: Only Hawaii’s 2022‑23 senior setter, Ka’imi Kanahele, matched seven weekly honors in a single season. rosenthal now holds the franchise record for moast cumulative weekly awards (22 total).
Why Rosenthal Dominates the Setter Role
- Court Vision: Consistently reads blockers, allowing quick tempo changes that open up high‑percentage attacks.
- Consistency Under Pressure: Maintains composure during momentum shifts; after a 5‑0 Rockhurst run in the second set, Rosenthal delivered a 5‑0 run of her own, turning the tide.
- Leadership: Acts as on‑court director, coordinating wiht liberos on serve‑receive formations and communicating blocking assignments.
Practical tips for Aspiring Setters (Inspired by Rosenthal):
- Pre‑match Video Analysis – study opponent’s block patterns for 10 minutes before warm‑up.
- Tempo Variation – Mix quick sets (0.5 seconds) with high balls to keep defenders guessing.
- Footwork Drills – Perform ladder drills focusing on lateral movement; Rosenthal’s footwork is cited as “exceptionally efficient” by UH coach Robyn Ah Mow.
- Interaction Routines – Use concise hand signals for set adjustments; reduces confusion during fast-paced rallies.
Real‑World Example: Rosenthal’s Second‑Ball Attack Play
- Setup: Opponent’s middle blocker commits to the quick set on the left side.
- Execution: Rosenthal delivers a back‑row setter dump to the opposite side,catching the defense off‑guard for a point‑winning kill in the third set.
Benefits of the Sweep for UH’s Season
- Momentum: Back‑to‑back wins boost team confidence, especially heading into the Big West tournament.
- Recruiting Edge: High‑visibility performances, highlighted by Rosenthal’s accolades, attract top high‑school setters to the program.
- statistical Edge: The sweep improved UH’s point differential (+33) – a critical tiebreaker in conference standings.
Quick Reference: What Fans Should Watch Next
- Upcoming Match: UH vs. CSUN (january 24, 2026) – a potential showdown for the Big West lead.
- Rosenthal’s Milestone: If she records another weekly award,she will tie the all‑time Big West record (seven awards in a single season).
- Broadcast Info: Live stream on BigWestSports.com and televised on ESPN+ at 7 PM HST.
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