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A marquee non-conference match is coming to Purdue Fort Wayne not only once but twice in 2024.
Purdue Fort Wayne as part of unveiling its regular season schedule announced it will play host to a two-match series against the two-time defending Big West champions Hawai’i on Jan. 25-26.
Hawai’i advanced to the NCAA Tournament finals last season and was within one match of becoming the first team in almost 30 years to win three consecutive NCAA championships. In addition, the Rainbow Warriors in the regular season swept the Mastodons at the annual Outrigger Invitational.
Purdue Fort Wayne coach Rock Perrotte said competing at that Hawai’i non-conference event in 2023 contributed to wanting to play the Rainbow Warriors again in 2024.
“It was such an honor to be invited to the Outrigger tournament last March,” Perrotte said. “Unbelievable experience for our team, my staff and myself. The opportunity to play the three best teams, at that time, in the country helped us learn a lot about what it takes to be that elite level. I wanted to challenge my team this year with elite competition in non-conference play, and Hawai’i was gracious enough to make a trip to Indiana.”
Purdue Fort Wayne following its match against Hawai’i last season won four of its next five conference matches and finished the MIVA in fourth place. The Mastodons return multiple starters, including All-MIVA opposite Jon Diedrich and All-MIVA middle attacker Bryce Walker.
Hawai’i will have to replace multiple All-American starters from last year’s team but returns First-Team All-American middle attacker Guilherme Voss. The team also in the offseason added former All-American setter Kevin Kauling who transferred from Lewis.
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Mastodons and Rainbow Warriors and the first time Hawai’i has traveled to Purdue Fort Wayne.
Purdue Fort Wayne 2024 regular season schedule
Jan. 5 vs. Thomas More
Jan. 6 vs. North Greenville
Jan. 12 at Sacred Heart
Jan. 13 at NJIT
Jan. 19 vs. Maryville
Jan. 25 vs. Hawai’i
Jan. 26 vs. Hawai’i
Feb. 2 vs. Saint Francis
Feb. 3 vs. Penn State
Feb. 6 vs. Loyola
Feb. 9 at Queens
Feb. 10 at Queens
Feb. 15 at Ball State
Feb. 20 at Ohio State
Feb. 23 vs. McKendree
Feb. 24 vs. McKendree
Feb. 29 at Loyola
March 2 at Lewis
March 15 vs. Lindenwood
March 16 vs Ohio State
March 23 vs. Ball State
March 29 at Lindenwood
March 30 at Quincy
Apri 4 vs. Lewis
April 6 vs. Quincy