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Post by aaronic on Apr 15, 2007 11:08:00 GMT -5
Anyone have an idea of what might happen in this match?
I think it'll definitely come down to serving and passing; as well as the OH's. Middles will probably cancel each other out.
Hope Hawaii's freshman are mentally ready for the postseason....
Did Hakala play LS or OPP during the January matches?
IMHO this will be their (Hawaii's) biggest test yet, since they've begun their winning ways. It'll be interesting to see how they respond to a better team (than the likes of CSUN or LBSU). Good Luck!
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Post by volleyfred on Apr 15, 2007 13:20:26 GMT -5
UH has a great strength. They can block. They are going to need to block against UCI. If they are able to block, they will have a chance. If not, UCI will roll UH.
However, by block I mean 20 blocks. UCLA barely beat UCI in 5 games, and UCLA had 26 blocks! So you'd think that a team would have been routed getting blocked 26 times. UCI was right there.
Many people have already forgot that UH has had key injuries all season long, and while they haven't beaten the big time teams, they weren't playing their full team at full strength during those matches.
If UH can block UCI I'd say the match will go to 5 with a slight advantage to UH... But UCI can still win.
If UH doesn't block, UCI will win in 3.
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Post by bunnywailer on Apr 15, 2007 17:26:27 GMT -5
UH is going to get smoked, sorry to say.
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Post by kepakai on Apr 16, 2007 22:28:06 GMT -5
It will be interesting. The match will be at Crawford, not at Bren. The first time they met, most of Hawaii's players had the flu. think they used three different liberos. Hakala was on the left, and clar at opp. It was also the first matches of the year for UH. The freshmen were probably a little wide-eyed.
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Post by Bookumdanoaloha on Apr 17, 2007 2:22:11 GMT -5
You gotta be kidding me. The playoff is at Crawford Hall. What is the capacity of the place. I expected at least 1500 at the match and at least 600 Hawaii fans. That means no beer at the match.
Bookumdanoaloha
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Post by UHvbFan on Apr 17, 2007 8:32:10 GMT -5
Warrior volleyball hopes for long trip By Stephen Tsai Advertiser Staff Writer The University of Hawai'i volleyball team is packing several rolls of quarters for a final road trip that could last between three and 17 nights. "We plan on having a lot of change for laundry," head coach Mike Wilton said. The Warriors will play UC Irvine in Saturday night's opening round of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament. If the Warriors win that match, they advance to the semifinals in Malibu, Calif., the following Thursday. Top-ranked Pepperdine also is hosting the MPSF championship match. The tournament winner earns an automatic berth in the NCAA final four next month in Columbus, Ohio. In any scenario, the ninth-ranked Warriors will not return to Hawai'i until their season is over. That means the Warriors, who leave Thursday afternoon, could be on the road for up to 2 1/2 weeks. If the sixth-seeded Warriors were to defeat No. 3 Irvine, "it would be too quick of a turnaround to come home and then go back to the Mainland," Wilton said. "That wouldn't work." Wilton recalled that in 1995, the Warriors lost to UCLA in the MPSF title match in Los Angeles, returned to Honolulu the next day and then, a day later, traveled to Springfield, Mass., for the NCAA final four. "Our team was wasted," Wilton said of the Warriors, who lost both matches in the final four. "It got worse the longer we were there." But the Warriors' grand plans mean little if they lose to Irvine. In January, the Anteaters won both matches against the Warriors. Back then, opposite attacker Lauri Hakala was a left-side hitter and middle blocker Dio Dante was ailing. "We had a bunch of things going on," Wilton said. "There's been some evolving since then." SETTER SIGNS AGREEMENT Sam Morehouse, a 6-foot-1 setter from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif., signed a scholarship agreement to finalize his commitment to UH. Morehouse received offers from UC Irvine and Long Beach State. Morehouse said the Warriors were the first to show interest, and he came away impressed with the program after a recruiting visit in February. Morehouse is a member of the prestigious Balboa Bay Volleyball Club. He also competes on youth national teams. "I'm pretty much all into volleyball," said Morehouse, who picked up the sport when he was 11 after watching his brother compete in a tournament. His father, David Morehouse, was a member of the national team in 1981 and 1982. Brian Beckwith is completing his NCAA eligibility this semester, leaving Sean Carney and Nejc Zemljak as the Warriors' returning setters. www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/SPORTS0202/704170352/1032 |
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Post by UHvbFan on Apr 17, 2007 8:49:12 GMT -5
UH-UCI at smaller venue By Cindy Luis cluis@starbulletin.com Fate. Coincidence. Irony. Serendipity. Or just downright amusing. Take your pick. Saturday's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation volleyball quarterfinal match between sixth-seeded Hawaii and third-seeded UC Irvine will be played in the 1,200-seat Crawford Gym and not the 5,000-seat Bren Events Center. The reason? Na 'Opio o Ka 'Aina, UCI's Hawaii Club, is holding its 16th annual luau at the larger arena. "We're not happy with it, but it is what it is," Anteaters coach John Speraw said yesterday. "It is ironic. And it is funny." Campus venues need to be reserved about six months ahead of time and one group cannot hold two dates. In volleyball's case, Speraw wanted April 21 for a quarterfinal and, in case UCI won the conference title, April 26 and 28 for the MPSF semifinals and final. "I had to choose one week so I took next week," Speraw said. "When we realized that we wouldn't win the league, we tried to change it but couldn't. "It's too bad because I truly believe Bren is the best place to play volleyball in southern California. We have been in Crawford (for six matches) this season but we feel more comfortable in Bren. We've become a big-arena team." Bren is the site for the men's volleyball final four next year. Ironically, NAOOK wanted April 28 for its date because of another function for an all-student organization that will also be held this Saturday. But volleyball had that date. "We thought about trying to swap, but by then it was way too late," club historian Dominic Duffert said. "Too much had already been done." "Ho'i Hou 'Ana I Ka 'Uhane O Ke Aloha" is expected to draw about 500 people, approximately the number of volleyball tickets that remained as of last night. Both the entertainment for the luau and the match have the same 7 p.m. start time. Prior to last season, when UC Irvine was ranked No. 1, the Anteaters rarely used Bren. This season with most matches in Bren, UCI has been averaging more than 1,250 at home, including a program-high 3,612 for UCLA last month. "Before the season started, we set our goal at averaging 1,000 and we've exceeded it," Speraw said. "We feel UCI has become a top men's volleyball program and we want people to know our home is Bren." Just not for the biggest match of the season. The arena won't be the only difference the Anteaters will see Saturday. They'll face a very different Hawaii team than the one which opened the season there untested, ailing, injured and unsure of a starting lineup. Of the seven Warriors that started Jan. 12, only senior setter Brian Beckwith and freshman middle Matt Rawson have held their respective spots. Since that opener, senior Eric Kalima has gone from left-side hitter to libero and back, senior Lauri Hakala has gone from left to opposite, senior Dio Dante has replaced Kyle Klinger in the middle, freshman Matt Vanzant has earned a start at the revolving second left spot and freshman Ric Cervantes has camped out at libero. "For me personally, that first road trip was crazy," Vanzant said. "I was pretty nervous, but now, after playing in front of a bunch of people and playing in different gyms, I feel a lot more relaxed and confident. "I think we finally found the right combination at the right time. Winning 10 in a row heading to Irvine, is a great boost to our confidence." starbulletin.com/2007/04/17/sports/story04.html |
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Post by bunnywailer on Apr 17, 2007 15:28:18 GMT -5
LOL. Dumb Hawaiians, can never plan ANYTHING right. ;D
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Post by cindyluis on Apr 18, 2007 0:48:55 GMT -5
Speraw had first choice of weekends and the Hawaii club had to work around that. When I spoke with a club member (as the story says) they wanted next Saturday but volleyball had already reserved Bren, thinking they'd win the league again. By the time volleyball realized they wouldn't host the semis and final, the club already had contracts signed for food and entertainment so they couldn't swap.
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Post by volley on Apr 18, 2007 2:40:44 GMT -5
we cant assume that it was because they thought they would win leage again, but more that they didnt want keep it out of the realm of possibility. i think it was a smart choice on Speraws part. imagine if UCI had won, and he hadnt reserved the bren events center six months ago. that would have been horrible for Irvine to host the semifinals and finals of the mpsf tournament in that little gym.
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Post by UHvbFan on Apr 18, 2007 6:35:43 GMT -5
Irvine in for surprise By Stephen Tsai Advertiser Staff Writer The University of Hawai'i volleyball team does not view Saturday's playoff opener against UC Irvine as a rematch, mostly because the events of three months ago appear to be from another lifetime. "We're not the same team," said opposite attacker Lauri Hakala, referring to the Warriors' current lineup and attitude. Indeed, things have changed greatly since the season-opening, two-match series in January. From the end of fall training in early December to that series in Irvine, the Warriors had only two exhibitions to prepare for the Anteaters, who were ranked No. 1 at the time. What's more, UH's best middle, Dio Dante, was not available because of flu-like symptoms. Hakala, who was a left-side hitter, and middle blocker Kyle Klinger also were ill. "We just came back from our Christmas break," senior Eric Kalima recalled. "We were a little rusty, I'd say. We had a lot of guys who were sick. We were still trying to find a lineup." Irvine swept both matches. "Bad memories," libero Ric Cervantes said. "It's kind of hard when there's a month-long layoff and then you're kind of thrown into the fire. We played the No. 1 team to start, and it was my first (NCAA) game ever. It was pretty rough." Klinger played in both matches. Steve Grgas started at opposite attacker for one match and Jim Clar for the other. Forward to today. Dante is the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation's best blocker. Hakala is at opposite, where he was an All-American in 2006. Cervantes, who would not start for the next 14 matches, is an accurate-passing libero. Kalima and Matt Vanzant are the left-side hitters/passers. Meanwhile, Grgas is a backup middle and Clar is a reserve left-side hitter. Klinger's UH career is in limbo. He is not on the 13-player travel roster to Irvine, replaced by libero Mike China. Klinger did not practice yesterday. "Everything is completely different now," setter Brian Beckwith said of the Warriors, who won 10 in a row to qualify for the playoffs. "We've proven that by turning our season around. Hopefully, we can keep progressing. By Saturday, we'll be even better than we are now. We're going to keep pushing. Our season doesn't have to end soon." www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/SPORTS0202/704180388/1032/SPORTS |
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Post by Bookumdanoaloha on Apr 18, 2007 11:05:28 GMT -5
Hawaii comes to Crawford Hall with a set line up and alot confidence (playing weaker opponents the last half of the season). Hawaii comes in with a Big Block across the net, however, UCI Fab Four (Jayson, Smith, Webber and Thorton)
have been the heart of a very good team all season. Hawaii's Four Seniors vs. UCI's Four Seniors makes for a great match.
1. Can UCI handle the Big Block off Hawaii?
2. Can Hawaii pass and get production from the other OH's.
3. Both team's All Americans should play well, however, can the supporting cast come up big in the match.
In the past, Crawford Hall gave the Ant-Men home field advantage. But this year the Ant-Men considers The Bren home court. It's almost a Neutral Court. Plenty of Hawaii fans should be at the game, if they can get tickets. They'll be turning down fans at the gate on Saturday. Hawaii has never been a small gym team - always played well in Big Arenas.
The key is how Coach Speraw and Coach Mike makes adjustments as the match progresses. No sweep in this match.
Bookumdanoaloha
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Post by northshore on Apr 18, 2007 13:36:04 GMT -5
Should be interesting to see how this weekend plays out. Coach versus Coach, this will and could make a huge difference in the outcome. On the hitting side, it's almost the seniors Hakala vs Webber & Jablonski. Two against one, not fair. Middles & setters are going to be good on both sides of the net. Liberos could make the difference this match. Good passing will make these two setters soooo good to watch. Coach Mike has put a lot of trust in the young OHs who play well against weaker teams as any of the UH hitters on the bench could. (I'm not happy with Clar and Sckud wasting their talent on the bench when they could be scoring some big points. Hopefully the coach will wake up and use them when the time is right and he doesn't wait too long to do it. Is Sckud behind Hakala now?) The only thing I'm worried about is if these youngsters (VanZant & Ernie) can stay on focus on the court for the stronger blocking-hitting teams like UCI. And while Caoch Mike is putting all his emphasis on passing which I agree isn't a bad thing with this UH team and it seems to work against the weaker opponents, he's leaving the scoring of offensive points on a back burner and this scares me when we play teams like UCI. Anyhow, playoffs are always exciting and anything could happen. It is possible Coach Mike's approach will work against UCI and if not, I sure hope he's willing to make the adjustments quickly and not cost the team a huge win this weekend. Go Warriors!
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Post by bunnywailer on Apr 18, 2007 13:42:30 GMT -5
So what's the deal with Klinger?
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Post by aaronic on Apr 19, 2007 0:28:28 GMT -5
Should be interesting to see how this weekend plays out. Coach versus Coach, this will and could make a huge difference in the outcome. On the hitting side, it's almost the seniors Hakala vs Webber & Jablonski. Two against one, not fair. Middles & setters are going to be good on both sides of the net. Liberos could make the difference this match. Good passing will make these two setters soooo good to watch. Coach Mike has put a lot of trust in the young OHs who play well against weaker teams as any of the UH hitters on the bench could. (I'm not happy with Clar and Sckud wasting their talent on the bench when they could be scoring some big points. Hopefully the coach will wake up and use them when the time is right and he doesn't wait too long to do it. Is Sckud behind Hakala now?) The only thing I'm worried about is if these youngsters (VanZant & Ernie) can stay on focus on the court for the stronger blocking-hitting teams like UCI. And while Caoch Mike is putting all his emphasis on passing which I agree isn't a bad thing with this UH team and it seems to work against the weaker opponents, he's leaving the scoring of offensive points on a back burner and this scares me when we play teams like UCI. Anyhow, playoffs are always exciting and anything could happen. It is possible Coach Mike's approach will work against UCI and if not, I sure hope he's willing to make the adjustments quickly and not cost the team a huge win this weekend. Go Warriors! But if Schkud/Clar can't pass well, there goes your offense. Middles can't get involved with bad passing, OH's will get blocked off the court(except for Hakala who could probably hit through any block). I think it's the best decision. OTOH if Schkud/Clar are the better passers, then you may have a point. |
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