Stanford vs. Hawaii game recap

[hwy101]

uhathletics.hawaii.edu/recap.html?rid=12458

See link above for game 1 recap. The picture shows no. 15 of Stanford (blocking Tony Ching), Curt Toppel still with a heavily-bandaged left thumb. Looks like thumb injuries are a Stanford thing, i.e., no. 15 of the women's team (Logan Tom) injured her right thumb during the WSU match at Bohler gym and bothered her the rest of the season!

[V]

I'll continue the thread with placing the Advertiser's article here. Sorry, no box score was available.

UH volleyball team holds off Stanford

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The team captain was ailing, the passing and setting were broken, and egos were bruised and bloodied.

But, hey, you should have seen the other guys.

Despite a menu of woes, the top-ranked University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team outlasted Stanford, 30-28, 30-27, 27-30, 30-28.

A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 3,608 watched the Warriors win their Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener and improve to 5-0 overall.

With opposite hitter Eyal Zimet, setter Kimo Tuyay and libero Jake Muise on the sideline for crunch time, the Warriors turned to their two left-side hitters, Costas Theocharidis and Tony Ching.

Theocharidis slammed 26 kills, and Ching produced 20 kills, 12 digs, three blocks and three aces. Ching served seven points as the Warriors closed the second game with an 8-0 run, then hammered match point with a thunderous angle shot. Ching personally induced the Cardinal to burn five timeouts.

"Tony Ching kept us in it, and Costas, as only he can do, was tough for us down the stretch," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

Still, the Warriors managed to scramble what should have been easy-over. Zimet exited in the second game, complaining of back spasms.

After UH blew a 25-21 lead in the third game, freshman libero Matt Motter replaced Muise as the back-row defensive specialist for Game 4. With the score tied at 9, Tuyay was lifted after repeatedly setting to the middle, where Stanford had planted a double block.

"We're not setting the table, we're not passing," Wilton said. "And maybe Kimo just finally melted down. He struggled with setting, so that's two contacts that aren't so good. For the hitters, it had to be a hard deal."

Tuyay admitted to not "setting great," but promised "to work on it. It's correctable."

Wilton summoned Daniel Rasay, who was used in relief during the Warriors' title drive last season. "Coach (Wilton) doesn't really tell me anything and he doesn't need to tell me anything," Rasay said. "I know my role."

Last night's assignment was to find Theocharidis and, particularly, Ching on the outside. Rasay recalled: "I went up to Tony and I told him, 'Fire it up or we're not going to win this game.' "

Ching admitted to playing in a blind rage when he was younger, unable to contain his brushfire of emotions. But he said his high school coach, Pono Ma'a, taught him to channel his energy "and that's helped. I used to be angry, and it was a problem for me, but now it's an asset."

The 6-foot-2 Ching said the extra gusto is an energy boost. "I need to play with passion," he said. "That's the only way I can make up for the 6-inch height difference. The passion helps me jump higher."

"When he's like that," Rasay said, "I try to set him up as much as possible."

Stanford's Curt Toppel, who wore a fiberglass cast to protect a broken left thumb, finished with 25 kills.

[007]

Looks to me like maybe UH may not be quite as dominating as their fans(posters) believe that they are!

[ACE]

Hawaii might not be as dominating, but they are good. Remember that 3 starters didn't play the final 2 games (Zimet, Muise, Tuyay) and Hawaii still won.

I thin that since Zimet is the best passer, Wilton should use him as a Libero instead of Muise (who isn't spectacular with passing) and use Pedro on the outside.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

There you go again 007. When I want your monkey brained opinion, I'll rattle your cage, just kidding . I don't think any one team will DOMINATE the MPSF, and that includes Hawaii. Stanford played well enough to win last night, but credit the Warriors who mounted big comebacks in games 2 and 4. Hawaii might lose a couple of matches here and there, the MPSF is too tough a conference to believe otherwise, but I like other Warrior fans, expect the MPSF tournament to be held in the SSC.

[fan2]

One think I noticed about this match is that both teams were really streaky in the last half of each game-- games two and three in particular. And it was the first time I saw real collapses in Hawaii's passing. Anyone care to share their opinion as to why this happened- and please don't say it was tough serving by Stanford, because anyone who was there knows their serve was not very impressive, although the rest of their game is.

[007]

I didn't know about 3 starters not playing the final 2 games. That accounts for something that's for sure! Were they hurt or just sittin out?

[Underdog]

007 said:

I didn't know about 3 starters not playing the final 2 games. That accounts for something that's for sure! Were they hurt or just sittin out?

If you read the article posted, it explains why two of the starters sat out. Zimet was having back spasms problems and Tuyay was having problems with his sets and according to Wilton, it may have been because of poor passing. As for Muise, I do believe the reason why he was yanked was because he has an injured hand which was probably the reason for some bad passings on his part. He injured his hand some time prior to this match but felt he was well enough to play against Stanford.

[IdahoBoy]

007, your 1st comment in this thread shows your true dislike for UH and/or its fans. Your second shows your ignorance or laziness in research from and then you continue by trying to appease the people you've just tried to upset.

You might consider see a therapist, there is a thing called bi-polarism that they can treat that might help you. Either that, or stop bashing just because its UH.

A true adversary/arch-rival does their homework before knocking their opponent. Of course, good arch-rivals also have a likability aspect to their personality. I'll keep notes, to see if any of the above apply.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

Thanks for the laughs IB, and for putting that mean old 007 in his place. Dosen't 007's posts read like those of Anonymous Beachman ? Is there a connection ? Well maybe not, I think AB is a huge Hawaii fan

[Alta]

007 neither likes Hawaii nor Stanford, a very bitter person!

[rracer]

My theory re Hawaii's poor passing was a breakdown in concentration. Late in game three, Strickland jump floated his serves shallow to Costas, Tony and Jake, and their passes were about 5 feet off the net or an overpass. Hawaii has been guilty of letdowns in the past, especially when it looked like smooth sailing for them. I don't think the killer instinct was there last night for Hawaii. Stanford seemed to play with more intensity than some of Hawaii's other opponents so far, I think they felt like they had something to prove after two close losses to BYU.

I guess it's hard to be "up" for every match, but it's important for Hawaii to be mentally prepared for every match if they are to win a tough league. Last season, Hawaii underestimated some of their opponents and paid for it. For example, the opening loss to Loyola-Chicago, the first night loss to Long Beach which was struggling at the time, and a second night loss to BYU after having no problems with them the first night.

As far as Hawaii being dominant, I agree with other posters who say that won't be the case. Last night, color analyst Chris McLaughlin said he believed the regular season MPSF champ could have 5 or more losses, and I think he's right.

[Cory]

Hawaii is a little banged up, and teams are now aware of Delano. But Costas and Tony still hit over .450 which is very good for an outside hitter.

[Cory]

Here is the box score for anyone interested.

gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/m-volley/stats/012303aaa.html

[007]

Hey Idahooo Boy, or is it IdahoMan. HOw is it that someone from the Potato state is so much in love with Hawai?> I'm just curious you know. Are you an Idaho fan or a Hawaii fan....must be a girl thing huh?