Michigan Comeback Falls Short Against No. 4 Hawaii

Sunday, January 18

Fresno, Calif.

9:30 AM PT

Michigan

0-3, 0-0

Hawaii

2-1, 0-0

Hawai'i

Michigan

Brooke Ingram (Michigan Photography)

1/18/2026 3:43:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Kaylie Karsch

FRESNO, Calif. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team closed out play at Fresno State's Polopalooza on Sunday, falling 10-9 to No. 4-ranked Hawaii at the Fresno State Aquatics Center. The Wolverines ramped up their offense in the second half, scoring seven of their 10 goals over the final two periods, but were edged late by the Rainbow Wahine.

Sophomore Ari Karampetsou continued her strong weekend for Michigan (0-3), pacing the Wolverines with four goals. She made an impact on both ends of the pool, with one of her tallies coming off a steal and a quick behind-the-back finish.

Hawaii (3-0) struck first, scoring less than 30 seconds after the opening sprint. Karampetsou answered quickly with her first goal of the match, providing U-M's lone tally of the opening period.

Michigan found the net twice in the second quarter, with Issy Jackson firing a shot past the Hawaii goalkeeper before Brooke Ingram converted a power-play opportunity with 20 seconds remaining in the first half. The Rainbow Wahine countered with four goals in the period to take a multi-goal lead into halftime.

The Wolverines showed renewed energy on both ends to open the second half, tightening defensively and limiting Hawaii's opportunities. After a defense-heavy third quarter, Karampetsou scored twice in the period, with Kaia Levenfeld adding a goal between them to help keep Michigan within striking distance.

Michigan continued its push in the fourth, getting goals from four different Wolverines. Harriet Dickens opened the scoring in the final period before Hawaii responded with a pair of goals. In the closing three minutes, Emilia Mladjan and Riley Chapple each recorded their first goals of the match, and Karampetsou added her fourth, but the comeback attempt fell just short.

The Wolverines will return to action next weekend at the Arizona State Invitational, opening play against Loyola Marymount on Saturday (Jan. 24) at 10 a.m. MT.