Under Charlie Wade’s watch, the University of Hawaii has compiled one of the best multi-year stretches of its men’s volleyball history. On Saturday, the longtime coach can earn another distinction.

Despite missing two of their primary pin hitters, the No. 3 Rainbow Warriors defeated No. 18 UC Santa Barbara, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 25-20, in Isla Vista, Calif., on Friday night as Wade attained his 316^th victory, tying Mike Wilton for the most all-time.

Wade, who has helmed the program for 16 years, can set the record in Saturday’s 4 p.m. Hawaii time rematch at the Thunderdome. A win in the regular-season finale will also give the ‘Bows (24-4, 7-2 Big West) at least a share of the conference season title for the third time in five years.

If top-ranked Long Beach State (25-2, 7-2) wins at home over UC San Diego on Saturday, the Beach will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s Big West tournament in Honolulu by virtue of its tiebreaker over UH. But should LBSU slip and UH win, the Rainbows will be the 1.

UH has won 20 straight in the series with UCSB dating to 2017, but Friday’s matchup took some doing; season kills leader Kristian Tritriyski (ankle) was joined on the sideline by No. 2 option Louis Sakanoko (leg).

Adrien Roure put down 16 kills with nine digs and fellow freshman Finn Kearney stepped up in his third straight start with 11 kills and six blocks. Middle Kurt Nusterer built upon his sublime senior night performance with nine kills on 13 error-free swings (.692) and six blocks.

Clay Wieter returned to the lineup after missing last week’s Long Beach State series due to an injury. The Lindenwood transfer supplied four kills.

The Gauchos outhit the ‘Bows .267 to .248 for the match, but UH was the better team after the hosts posted a dominant second set.

UH rode Tread Rosenthal’s serve to the first six points of Set 3. UCSB caught up at 17-all and the teams alternated points until UCSB went up 22-21 on a block of Kearney. UH responded with four straight points, including a Rosenthal solo stuff of Ethan Saint on set point.

Kainoa Wade’s service run keyed UH to a 7-0 spurt to take a 15-11 lead in Set 4. Serving specialist Kai Taylor’s ace made it 20-14 and the ‘Bows rolled to the finish.

George Bruening led the last-place Gauchos (11-15, 2-7) with a match-high 19 kills.

Former Rainbow Warrior Jack Walmer, who served match point for UH’s 2022 national championship victory over Long Beach State, had one ace and one service error for UCSB.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.