Aaron Wilton, Jason Ring and Sivan Leoni game faced.
Associated Press Photo

It's NCAA volleyball championship weekend, a weekend buzzing with energy both in Los Angeles and in Hawaii for the fans, families and friends of the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team.

The Rainbows, ablaze with sizzling jump serves, were bringing a near-perfect record into the final match against perennial powerhouse UCLA.

Plenty of island folks accompanied the players to Los Agneles. Said UH senior setter Erik Pichel, "The fans are our American Express card. We don't leave home without them."

Manoa Gardens fans celebrate the UH men's volleyball team's win.
Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin