The University of Hawaii men's volleyball team is in the title match of the NCCA Men's Volleyball Championships for the third consecutive time, but to say it was a battle was an understatement.

Down two sets to one, the Big West champs rallied in a big way, taking the final two sets from MIVA champions Ball State in a five game grinder, 28-26, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-11.

Hawaii's semifinal win over the Cardinals was sweet revenge for two losses suffered on the road earlier in the season, where it played without starters Jacob Thelle, Guilherme Voss and Chaz Galloway.

Dimitrios Mouchilas and Spyros Chakas led the way for the Rainbow Warriors with 19 kills each and Thelle had 56 assists and a match-high four aces in the win.

The aforementioned Voss and Galloway contributed in a big way as well, with Voss putting down 10 kills and Voss adding five total blocks.

Saturday's championship is an all-Big West affair, as Long Beach held off host UCLA in a five set thriller of its own, 18-25, 18-25, 25-15, 25-10, 16-14, to punch a ticked to the final match.

First serve at Pauley Pavillon is set for 2 p.m. HST and will be televised live on ESPN2.