Hawaii articles (2013-'14 season)

[Cubicle No More ...]

Season of change

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 28, 2013


JAMM AQUINO / [e-mail]
As the freshly hired assistant coach, Zarkovic brings 25 years of international coaching experience, a manic teaching style and whistle-while-you-work playfulness.


From a distance, a whistling military cadence echoed in the walkway leading to the University of Hawaii's Gym I. "Like that?" said Milan Zarkovic, who set the tone -- and the tune -- for Friday's opening practice of the UH men's volleyball team's training camp.

As the freshly hired assistant coach, Zarkovic brings 25 years of international coaching experience, a manic teaching style and whistle-while-you-work playfulness.

"It's great to have him," said Charlie Wade, who begins his fifth season as the Rainbow Warriors' head coach.

UH lost two players -- libero Matt Cheape, who completed his NCAA eligibility, and outside hitter JP Marks, who signed a pro contract -- from a team that made the postseason for the third time in four years. Still, the Warriors have undergone a significant makeover.

As coach of the Belarus national team, Zarkovic has written the book -- actually, two books -- on volleyball.

"We're going to be better players having him around," outside hitter Siki Zarkovic said of his 51-year-old father.

Three former Warriors also are tutors. Jarrod Lofy is a graduate assistant, and Mauli'a LaBarre and Curt Vaughan are volunteers.

The Warriors' roster is equally deep. The depth chart is written mostly in chalk, with only middle blocker Taylor Averill, libero Kolby Kanetake and, perhaps, setter Joby Ramos with sizeable leads at their positions.

Averill has lost about 20 pounds from his 6-foot-7 frame and added a couple of inches to his vertical jump. Unlike last year, when he was rebounding from shoulder surgery and unsure of a position, Averill was healthy through fall training.

"He has a chance to be one of the best middles in the league," Wade said of Averill, who hit .446 and averaged 0.92 blocks in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches.

Averill has blossomed after trimming "a little baby fat."

"It changed my life," Averill said of the weight loss. "You see things from a different perspective being a lighter guy."

Davis Holt, Nick West and Zach Radner, who redshirted last season, will compete for the second middle position.

Brook Sedore, the Warriors' most disruptive server, has the edge at opposite over Iain McKellar, a 6-7 lefty from England.

Hendrik Mol, a freshman from Norway, was at opposite most of the fall. He will move to the left side, competing against Siki Zarkovic, Jace Olsen, Scott Hartley, Johann Timmer and Kupono Fey for the two outside spots.

The initial plan called for Fey, a freshman from Punahou School, to redshirt this season. But Fey played well in fall drills and now, according go Wade, "he's absolutely in the mix."

Fey's mother, Shelley, is chair of Punahou's physical education department and a former UH basketball player and coach. Fey's grandfather, Harry "Clown" Kahuanui, played basketball and football at UH, and was inducted into the school's Circle of Honor in 1984.

"I wanted to play in the Stan (Sheriff Center) all my life," Fey said of his decision to sign with the Warriors. "It's a big deal, honestly. The UH players are heroes on the island. To be (a UH player) is a great feeling."

Ramos had missed part of fall training because of a sprained ankle, but he already had created distance ahead of Jennings Franciskovic, a 6-5 freshman setter with a 36-inch vertical jump.

"It's Joby's spot," Wade said. "He's been better all fall. It wasn't even really close. ... He's a fourth-year guy who had a full year of starting play last year. That's pretty valuable."

In a symbolic scene, Ramos was in Gym I 45 minutes before the start of Friday's practice, setting up the nets.

"He's a leader," Wade said.

[Cubicle No More ...]

Warriors answer the call to focus while on base

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 29, 2013
LAST UPDATED: 02:15 a.m. HST, Dec 29, 2013

This weekend, the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team is spending time in a cell block.

The Rainbow Warriors are training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam through Monday afternoon. As part of the sequestration, their cell phones were confiscated for most of their stay, although they are allowed 15 minutes after each dinner to check messages.

"That's an easy and simple -- but yet powerful -- thing to do," opposite attacker Brook Sedore said of the cell lockdown. "There were people who were a little riled, but they'll have a lot more time to bond just because they won't have those things. It's a good thing for our team to get away from that."

Disclosure: Sedore lost his cell phone while snowboarding in his native Canada last week.

"No wonder Brook was on board quickly," coach Charlie Wade said, laughing.

Wade said the cell ban is one method to create team bonding.

"I'm part of it, too," Wade said. "It's a sacrifice. Can you put (the cell) aside and have your thoughts -- whether it's between practices or at night preparing for practice -- and focus more on what you need to do for the team instead of texting friends or checking the scores of some football game?"

Wade, a lifetime fan of the Chicago Bears, admitted: "It won't be easy. I will be curious on Sunday afternoon what happens in the Bears-Packers football game."

The idea to train on base spawned from a conversation between Wade and retired Lt. Col. Tracee Saiki following a Lions Club luncheon. Saiki, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's director of the military affairs program, suggested the Warriors train for a few days at Pearl Harbor/Hickam. UH's football team had spent parts of the past two training camps on base.

At the time, Wade was considering having the Warriors stay at Camp Erdman for "some team-bonding getaway." Wade had noted that during UH's holiday break, the dorms and meal services are closed, and it is difficult to schedule practice time in the gyms.

"She's been unbelievable," Wade said of Saiki. "She did so much of the legwork to make it happen. It would not have taken place if not for her efforts."

The Warriors are living in air-conditioned rooms on Hickam property. Their meals are at Hale Ali'i, and their twice-daily practices are at the Hickam Fitness Center.

On Saturday night, they had a "peer session" in which the players and military personnel shared stories.

"We wanted them to understand that freedom is not free," Wade said. "There are people who are the same demographic, the same age group, who are making pretty significant sacrifices all over the world every day to allow us to live the lives that we do and to be in the best place on the planet to live."

Sedore, who is a Canadian citizen, marveled at how the U.S. military "shows us what freedom in America is all about."

Wade added: "The consequences of missing your serve or screwing up (in volleyball) are significantly different than the consequences of when you're out in live-fire combat with people trying to kill you."

Wade said there will be time for fun activities, such as watching movies and bowling competitions.

"Chemistry-building is huge for every team," Sedore said. "If you're cohesive as a unit, you'll all be on the same page. That's a powerful aspect in a team. I've seen teams win championships based on their team chemistry and not just on their team physicality."

[ACE]

Great read. Question though...the article was dated Dec. 28/29. In the Dec. 28 article (Saturday) it stated UH started practice "Friday's opening practice"...So, the Men's have only 1 week to officially practice as they start January 4?

[kro2488]

For their first match will the live stream be up?

[Cubicle No More ...]

No rest for weary Warriors on base

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 31, 2013


Morning was broken with a thump-thump-thump.

"It was crazy," libero Kolby Kanetake said of the 5 a.m. awakening.

The Rainbow Warriors were roused from their sweet dreams to learn and perform marching drills in the chill of a Monday morning. It was a wipe-the-makapiapia start to the final day of training camp at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Warriors open the season with Thursday's exhibition against Canada's Thompson River in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I wasn't expecting it, that's for sure," middle blocker Taylor Averill said of the rude awakening from Air Force drill instructors. "When I heard the banging, I thought, for sure, I was late for something. I was actually in a good dream. I was super deep in sleep. The next thing you know, you hear banging."

The players were ordered to stand at attention outside their apartment unit, then to go inside to change into workout clothes.

Outside hitter Johann Timmer wore rubber slippers. Middle blocker Zach Radner mixed-and-matched sliders with a hoodie. Outside hitter Scott Hartley wore sweat pants.

"I didn't bring enough clothes," Hartley admitted. "I was sleeping in this."

Opposite attacker Brook Sedore, meanwhile, had to fully dress after spending the night in his birthday suit.

"I was the one who was told to put boxers on," Sedore said. "They told me: ‘I don't want to see that white butt.' "

For the next 30 minutes, they pirouetted and marched.

When Averill failed to click his heels, he had to do 10 push-ups. The punishments were eased because of Sunday's strenuous workouts and the proximity of the opening match.

The session ended with a last-man-standing contest, a version of Simon Says, in which the winner is the one who performs the steps without a mistake.

Sedore, a Canadian, out-performed outside hitter Siki Zarkovic, a Serbian, in the final round.

After that, the Warriors performed 20 burpees — a combination of squat, push-up and vertical jump.

"I was happy that was the worst of the punishments," Hartley said.

UH coach Charlie Wade said: "You could tell they were taking it seriously and trying their best."

The morning routine is usually offered to visitors who want to experience a glimpse of military training.

Wade said his wish is the players will relate the exercise to the discipline needed in volleyball matches.

"I was listening to the drill instructor, and he was giving very specific instructions in how they should hold their hands and how they stand," Wade said. "That's very similar to what we do. When we call a blocking scheme, you have to know what it is and how to execute. You just can't go, ‘my bad,' and get away from that. You have to pay attention to details and be personally responsible for your actions, for being in the right place, for being in the right moment to execute. We're not asking them to line up and march. But we are asking them to be really disciplined in the moment."

Wade usually has a detailed itinerary for trips. For the stay on base, the schedule was vague, with ballpark times for meals and practices.

"We wanted to see who could handle without having all the information and everything perfect," Wade said.

"We wanted to see who could line up when they didn't know what time the meals were or when there was less-than-perfect amount of rest. How many times are you stuck in traffic and trying to make it to the match on time, and you don't have the full amount of time to work out? Can you still go in and make it happen and play your best? We wanted to see who can handle when you get thrown a curveball."

Wade added: "Our whole goal coming out of here is: How do we become a better team? I think we are."

[Cubicle No More ...]

Wade: Let's see who can play when the lights come on

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 02, 2014


JAMM AQUINO / [e-mail]
Libero Matthew Cheape is "a lesson for hard work," according to UH coach Charlie Wade.


It will be trial-by-perspire when the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team makes its first court appearance in an exhibition match against Thompson Rivers of Canada tonight.

First serve is at 7:05 in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"This is a chance to get some good court time against a quality opponent," said Charlie Wade, who begins his fifth season as the Rainbow Warriors head coach. "We'll get guys out there and see who does well when the lights come on."

Middle blocker Taylor Averill, opposite attacker Brook Sedore, setter Joby Ramos and libero Kolby Kanetake will start.

Davis Holt, Nick West, Aniefre "Fre" Etim-Thomas and Zach Radner are in contention for the second middle position.

"They're all working hard, but you can only play two (middles)," Wade said.

Averill was a dominant middle during fall training. A year ago, he was recovering from shoulder surgery and unsure whether he would be used at opposite, middle or even setter. But he lost weight, improved his vertical jump, and hit .440 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches.

Siki Zarkovic and Jace Olsen appear to have the edge at the two left-side positions.

Zarkovic tired at the end of 2013, his first season at UH after moving from Europe, and hit .158 in his final two regular-season matches. He missed a practice this past weekend because of foot blisters, but is otherwise healthy.

"He just needs to get out there," Wade said.

Olsen had an uneven 2013 season after transferring from Penn State and recovering from shoulder surgery. Wade asked Zarkovic to assess Olsen's play during a late-season match. Zarkovic offered a glowing review. Wade then pointed out Olsen was hitting .000.

Wade noted Olsen was good at "segmenting," vernacular for playing well in other areas to make up for hitting problems.

"If one thing is not going well, Jace is good at plugging away, which is really valuable," Wade said. "Jace has great energy. He's easy to play alongside."

Olsen, Averill, Ramos and serving specialist Johann Timmer were selected to the captains' council in team voting. All four began their college careers elsewhere. Averill was at UC Irvine as a freshman, Ramos played two seasons at Pacific, and Timmer was in a sports academy in New Zealand for a semester.

Wade said Etim-Thomas, Sedore, Holt and Zarkovic each received more than six votes.

"Fifteen different guys got votes," Wade said.

Thompson Rivers counters with an experienced team that already has played 12 matches. The WolfPack (8-4), ranked sixth in Canada, are fourth in the 12-team CIS Canada West.

Right-side attacker Brad Gunter is second in the league with 5.20 kills per set. Gunter and Casey Knight have combined for 33 aces.

Jacob Tricarico leads the WolfPack with 1.05 blocks per set.

"They already have wins over Alberta and Calgary, which are two traditional powers in the West," Wade said. "That means they're a good team. I think they're bringing a bunch of players who will compete and travel well, and help them prepare for the second half of their season."

The teams meet again at 7 p.m. Saturday.

[Cubicle No More ...]

Dec 30, 2013 15:53:17 GMT -5 kro2488 said:

For their first match will the live stream be up?

well, it's tonight, an exhibition against a canadian team. but sadly, i don't even see that it will be televised, much less live streamed.

(i could be wrong, but like you, i'm just not seeing any info on coverage of the exhibition match...)

[kro2488]

Probably no game-tracker either.

[kro2488]

Well they have live stats, I forget its called something else.

[kro2488]

By the live stats Thompson is destroying them in set 1. Hoping set two is better after that I'm gunna go to sleep.

[Cubicle No More ...]

Canadian team tops Warriors

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 03, 2014
LAST UPDATED: 02:11 a.m. HST, Jan 03, 2014


BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]
Hawaii's Nick West attacks the middle as Thompson Rivers' Philip Ozari (16) and Nic Balazs (14) put up a block in the first set of the Thompson Rivers vs Hawaii volleyball match at Stan Sheriff Center.


BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]
Hawaii’s Taylor Averill tried to hit past Thompson Rivers’ Jacob Tricarico.


The microphone malfunctioned during the national anthem. The key to the visiting locker room was misplaced. There was no entertainment during the extended break between the second and third sets.

And the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team also had a false start, losing its 2014 debut in four sets to Thompson Rivers University of Canada in the Stan Sheriff Center.

The scores were 25-19, 25-21, 13-25, 25-20.

There were two key factors in this exhibition: 1. The Rainbow Warriors were able to experiment with lineups and 2. the match did not count in any standings. The rematch is on Saturday night.

"It definitely was (about) knocking off the rust," UH middle blocker Nick West said.

Opposite attacker Brad Gunter led the WolfPack with 25 kills in 40 swings.

"He's a great player," Thompson River setter Colin Carson said. "He played on the junior national team for Canada."

Carson, who braids his hair and his beard, kept the Warriors in knots with his quick and high sets to left-side hitter Casey Knight (10 kills) and Gunter.

Gunter, a left-hander who is 6-feet-6, can touch 11-7 in a single bound.

"He's our go-to guy," Carson said. "You have to keep going where it's going."

Gunter said: "I was feeling good. I was doing what I could to help our team."

Thompson River was able to adjust to the hecklers -- the crowd of 1,060 was the largest it played in front this season -- and to the NCAA's heavier ball.

"A lot of people were shouting all sorts of things," Gunter said, smiling. "When you go back to serve, that's when you're isolated. I was pretty good at isolating it out."

Gunter served nine points on his serves, including four aces.

The Molten ball appears to be slightly heavier than the Mikasa volleyball used in Canada. Thompson River players said the Molten is favorable for spin-servers, such as Gunter.

"I think we adjusted," Carson said. "It wasn't too bad. We definitely can raise our level for serve and pass."

The Warriors, meanwhile, struggled in the transition phase. They sided out only 56 percent, including an implosive 45 percent in the first set.

The Warriors were without their best passer, libero Kolby Kanetake, for the half of the first set. Kanetake was treated at a hospital for an undisclosed problem, and wasn't suited up until the Warriors had fallen behind 15-8 in the first set.

"He's fine now, and that's all I can say," UH coach Charlie Wade said.

Erratic passes led to connection problems throughout the match. Opposite attacker Brook Sedore led the Warriors with 14 kills, but five times he tipped sets.

"They were deciding whether to go fast or high, and vice versa," Wade said of the connection between Sedore and setter Joby Ramos.

Middle blocker Taylor Averill, who had played well during fall training, hit .000 with his five kills offset by five errors. He hit four out and one into a solo block.

"It was a little bit of an eye-opener for him," Wade said.

The Warriors entered the match in search of answers at the second middle and on the left side. West made a case for claiming a middle job with 13 kills in 20 swings and three blocks. He also had two digs.

"Stats don't really matter," said West, who had been bothered by abdominal problems early last season. "If we came out with a win, it would been a little better."

Jace Olsen played well as a left-side starter, producing 11 kills and keeping alive plays with five digs.

Siki Zarkovic, the other left-side hitter, struggled with his accuracy, with five errors overshadowing three kills.

But Johann Timmer and freshmen Henrik Mol and Kupono Fey played well in limited time. Fey, who was brought in as a designated server, managed to dig two Gunter spikes.

Wade said the problems are correctable.

"We have to pass better to set the middle, and the (pin) hitters have to own it," Wade said. "They have to be better."

[Cubicle No More ...]

Wade expects much sharper game

The Rainbow Warriors struggled with their passing on Thursday against Thompson Rivers University

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 04, 2014


BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]
Nick West had 13 kills while hitting .500 against Thompson Rivers University on Thursday.


The University of Hawaii men's volleyball team seeks improved results in tonight's rematch against Canada's Thompson Rivers University.

The Rainbow Warriors received an "incomplete" in what amounted to a placement test between the teams on Thursday. The Warriors struggled with passing and accompanying areas in a four-set loss in the Stan Sheriff Center.

These matches against Thompson River do not count in any standings, but they will factor in creating UH's depth chart for next week's Outrigger Hotels Invitational.

While Taylor Averill was the most productive middle in fall training, Nick West played well on Thursday, finishing with 13 kills and hitting .500. UH coach Charlie Wade said Davis Holt outplayed West in Wednesday's practice.

Aniefre "Fre" Etim-Thomas and Zach Radner did not play on Thursday.

"I need to get Davis in there," Wade said. "He's been great in practice. Fre has been blocking great. There are only two (middle) positions. There's going to be a lot of standing around for some good players."

There also is a crush at the two spots on the left side.

Jace Olsen, one of four co-captains, appears to have secured one of the jobs. Olsen, who is considered a steady passer, pounded 11 kills in 23 swings on Thursday. Olsen's first attack error, on a line shot that was just wide, came in the fourth set, on his 21st swing of the match.

"That was just a bad choice," Wade said of Olsen's decision not to tool the block. "But I certainly liked the fact that Jace Olsen had only one hitting error. We need more of that kind of performance from our pin hitters."

Siki Zarkovic struggled with his accuracy -- three kills against five errors -- but his status is not in jeopardy. Wade said Zarkovic has logged enough quality playing time to prove he is a dependable passer/hitter.

Johann Timmer, last year's serving specialist, will be given a chance to play more on the left side. This is Timmer's third year at UH but his final season of NCAA eligibility. Because New Zealand's high schools finish in what is America's winter, Timmer spent a semester at a sports academy -- triggering his eligibility clock -- before enrolling at UH in August 2011.

Wade said Kupono Fey, a 2013 Punahou School graduate, will not redshirt as a freshman. Fey was brought in as a serving substitute two times; he ended up with two digs.

Wade said Fey and freshman Hendrik Mol will compete for time at left-side hitter.

"Kupono will get his shot out there sooner or later," Wade said. "Hopefully, it will be sooner. He's a good player."

[Cubicle No More ...]

Warriors better in second exhibition

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 05, 2014


KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Hendrik Mol, left, and Davis Holt block against Thompson Rivers' Casey Knight in the third set of an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.


In an extended preview, the University of Hawaii volleyball team outlasted Canada's Thompson Rivers University 25-18, 24-26, 25-17, 25-20, 23-25 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 1,060 witnessed the Rainbow Warriors clinch the match after the fourth set. Because this was an exhibition, both teams agreed to play five full sets even if a team had already won three.

The Warriors, who lost in four sets on Thursday, played with improved passing, serving and energy in Saturday's rematch. It was the Warriors' second match of 2014, a prelude to this week's Outrigger Hotels Invitational.

The WolfPack entered the series having played 12 matches in Canada's best intercollegiate conference.

The Warriors unraveled because of poor passing in Thursday's match, mostly because libero Kolby Kanetake had been unavailable early because of a medical issue. With Kanetake available from the first serve on Saturday, the Warriors' passing was on the mark, providing setter Joby Ramos with several options.

The Warriors cashed in, hitting a combined .500 in the first two sets.

The Warriors did not commit an attack error in 22 swings in the first set. Their first attack error came in the second set, on their 48th swing, when freshman opposite Iain McKellar hit into a double block. The Warriors finished that set when Siki Zarkovic hit long. They did not commit their third attack error until the third set.

"We played at a really high level for a long time, even though we had a revolving door going on," UH coach Charlie Wade said of the numerous lineup changes. "That was good to see."

Seventeen Warriors played. In the fifth set, all but middle blocker Taylor Averill were freshmen.

The Warriors' experienced players led the way.

Zarkovic, a sophomore who played only two sets, had 10 kills in 14 swings and hit .643.

Middle blocker Nick West had seven kills and no errors.

Opposite Brook Sedore added nine kills and splotches of blood after a tumble. The four-minute stoppage to disinfect the floor was the longest break of the night. There was no extended break between the second and third sets, and the chilly conditions required no sweat-cleaning after plays.

After the second set, Wade began to mix and match lineups.

Freshman Kupono Fey had a breakout performance in the third set, when he put down five kills in seven swings, assisted on two kills, and made a lunging save while defending the middle during his rotation in the back row.

"Kupono Fey continues to impress," Wade said.

By playing in the exhibition, Fey relinquished any thoughts of redshirting this season.

"It's over since I got in," said Fey, a 2013 Punahou graduate.

Of the opportunity to compete in the rotation at left-side hitter, Fey said: "That's the plan now. It was a lot of fun getting out there and playing with the other freshmen."

Each of the newcomers had his moments. McKellar, who redshirted last year, had three kills. Hendrik Mol, a freshman left-side hitter from Norway, contributed eight kills. Jennings Franciskovich, a freshman setter, made an easy transition after subbing for Ramos. Middle blocker Zach Radner added five kills, hit .500 and contributed a block in his fifth-set appearance.

Radner provided the loudest hits, off a compact swing.

At 6 feet, 8 inches and 240 pounds, Radner is built like a football defensive end. But he has a 31.5-inch vertical jump.

"I'm pretty good at using my weight to get up there," Radner said. "I'm a pretty big boy, but I can get up there."


KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Davis Holt, left, and Kupono Fey block against Thompson Rivers in the third set of an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Sinisa Zarkovic makes a kill against Thompson Rivers in the first set of an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Brook Sedore makes a kill against Thompson Rivers' Nic Balazs in the second set of an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Jace Olsen blocks against Thompson Rivers in the first set of an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]
UH's Kolby Kanetake, left, Nick West, Joby Ramos and Iain McKellar celebrate after scoring against Thompson Rivers during an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

[Cubicle No More ...]

Warriors open their season -- for real this time


By Stephen Tsai

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 08, 2014


BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]
Hawaii's Taylor Averill goes to hit a Joby Ramos set but the set went outside to instead in the second set of the Thompson Rivers vs Hawaii volleyball match at Stan Sheriff Center.


The University of Hawaii volleyball team will have a second chance to make a first impression.

Following two exhibitions against Canada's Thompson Rivers last week, the Rainbow Warriors open the regular season with this week's Outrigger Hotels Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors play Ohio State on Thursday, Penn State on Friday and UCLA on Saturday.

"We haven't played a real match yet," UH coach Charlie Wade said. "We want to see what our guys can do; then we can make adjustments -- good, bad or indifferent."

UH and UCLA are members of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, but Saturday's match will not count toward the league standings.

"It's still important enough for us to come in and try to win," Wade said. "It's on our court. We want to do well."

The Warriors used all 17 players on their active roster in Saturday's five-set victory. Libero Kolby Kanetake, setter Joby Ramos, middle blocker Taylor Averill and opposite attacker Brook Sedore solidified their starting spots.

Jace Olsen, who had 18 kills against two errors in the two exhibitions, appears to have earned a left-hitter's job.

"Jace played great both nights," Wade said. "He's been working hard. Hopefully, that continues."

Siki Zarkovic struggled in the first match, with a negative-hitting percentage, but had 10 kills in 14 swings and hit .643 in the rematch. Olsen and Zarkovic are expected to start on the left side against Ohio State.

"If Jace and Siki continue to play like that, the young guys aren't going to play a whole lot," Wade said.

Averill did not play well in the first exhibition. Afterward, Averill apologized to Wade and promised to do better in the rematch.

"That's what you want to hear," Wade said. "I thought that was good."

It appears Nick West, who had 20 kills and hit .600 in the exhibitions, has the edge at the second middle. Wade said Davis Holt, Fre Etim-Thomas and Zach Radner remain in contention for a middle spot.

Whatever the composition of the lineup, Wade said, the goal is to minimize self-inflicted mistakes. Last year, the Warriors gave away about 10 points each set on errors in hitting (5.23 points), serves (3.65) and receiving (1.18).

"One thing we really needed to improve on last year was the number of hitting errors," Wade said. "We kept the score people busy. As the hitters have taken it upon themselves to make better choices, and the setters are working on their location, that's one area we want to be better at."

In the second exhibition match, the Warriors' first attack error came in the second set, on their 48th swing of the match.

[Cubicle No More ...]

Warriors open with sweep

By Stephen Tsai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 10, 2014


BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]
UH’s Taylor Averill won a battle at the net against Ohio State’s Christy Blough in the first set Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center.


The Hawaii volleyball team controlled the middle and then Ohio State for a season-opening 25-22, 25-21, 25-21 victory in the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 1,295 saw the Rainbow Warriors sweep their first match in the four-team, three-day Outrigger Volleyball Invitational. Tonight, UH faces Penn State, which lost in five sets to UCLA on Thursday.

UH middles Taylor Averill and Nick West each had eight kills and hit .600 and .500, respectively.

"Our plan was to pump the middle hard, get them to meet with us, and then beat them outside," Averill said.

When the Buckeyes locked on Averill or West, setter Joby Ramos was able to place quick and high sets to Brook Sedore on the right and Siki Zarkovic on the front left and middle back. Sedore had a match-high 11 kills on 20 swings, and Zarkovic added nine kills, with a third launched from behind the 3-meter line.

Early in the match, West told Ramos: "They're committing on me every single perfect pass. This is the time to set the pins."

Ramos obliged.

"Our pins had a fiesta out there," West said. "We loved it."

UH coach Charlie Wade said Ramos had worked extensively on diversifying his sets.

"He's starting to understand the offense more," Wade said. "When you watch him, he's not so predictable anymore. He went to the middles first. Our middles are legit. When you can establish them middles, life gets easier for everybody."

Sedore often faced a single block.

But Zarkovic, through the middle of the second set, would be greeted by a triple block on sets to the left pin. On his first swing, his shot was swallowed by the block. After that, Zarkovic learned to tool the block with angle shots. When he was in the back rotation, Zarkovic feasted on quick pipe sets. He had four kills in the third set.

"Joby had a really nice night setting," Sedore said. "He kept everyone involved. That's something he was struggling with."

Ramos played sporadically in two years at Pacific. He transferred to UH in August 2012 and eventually ascended to starter during the 2013 season.

"Last year was really my first year playing (regularly in college)," Ramos said. "I definitely feel a lot more comfortable on the court and with the group of guys we have."

Indeed, the Warriors appear to be playing with renewed enthusiasm. That was apparent when they did a six-man dance on a play kept alive with Sedore's diving swing. That also was evident when Ohio State's aloha-ball serve was caught in the net.

The Warriors gave away 17 points on attack errors and 14 more on missed serves. They also amassed only three blocks. Wade also noted there were subtle miscues on attention-to-details plays.

"It's been a while that we got a win without playing our best," Wade said. "Are you going to show up and play? For the most part, our guys did that. They were focused and they executed. It wasn't exceptional, but we're making progress."

Sedore said: "We're having fun. We're not that kind of team that can get down on each other and play with that negative emotion. We're the type of team that when things are positive, we play our best."

UCLA 3, Penn State 2

Robert Page, a 7-foot outside hitter, produced big numbers -- 23 kills, .525 hitting percentage -- in the Bruins' 25-15, 22-25, 23-25, 25-21, 16-14 victory in the opening match of the Outrigger Invitational.

"He's really improved," UCLA coach John Speraw said of Page. "He's a nice player."

The other left-side hitter, Gonzalo Quiroga, produced 15 kills and hit .324. The Bruins hit .407, with only one unforced error, in the first set.

Aaron Russell led the Nittany Lions with 19 kills.


**More photos by: BRUCE ASATO / [e-mail]