HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay women's water polo will host nationally ranked No. 8 Hawai'i on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. The Pioneers host the Rainbow Wahine for the third straight year at Pioneer Pool.

Cal State East Bay (1-2) and Hawai'i have been connected ever since UH alumnus Lisa Cooper was named head coach of the Pioneers prior to the 2003 season. Cooper was an All-American and Academic All-American, was the Rainbow Wahine's top scholar athlete, leading goal scorer, and received the team's most outstanding player award.

"It is always fun to play Hawai'i. They have always been a very solid program and it is a great experience for our team," Cooper added.

Hawai'i (0-0) will open its season later today at Santa Clara University. The Rainbow Wahine opened last season with the same two opponents and went on to capture 13-8 and 20-2 victories over the Broncos and Pioneers, respectively. In 2013, UH Head Coach Maureen Cole led her squad to a 22-11 record and Big West title.

This matchup will come on the heels of the final regular season Cal State East Bay swim meet at 1 p.m. Both competitions will be aired live on pioneerwebtv.com.

Cal State East Bay will host its annual alumni game on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Noon. The Pioneer coaching staff boasts two East Bay alumni in assistant coaches Liz Warren and Jayme Pekarske.