Set in La Jolla, one of the most gorgeous parts of Southern California, the UC San Diego campus is an inspiration for postcard shooters.
Its landscape is as neatly manicured as neighboring Torrey Pines Country Club’s. The mercury rarely dips below sweater temperatures. The ocean’s salt can be tasted in the air.
"It’s really, really pretty here," said Hawai‘i volleyball coach Mike Wilton, whose team plays UC San Diego today at the Tritons’ field house.
But, as many heartbroken men have found, beauty often comes with danger. And Wilton has warned that even here, against a struggling opponent, the Warriors (8-2) are not in their comfort zone.
Last year, the Tritons extended the Warriors to five games. Wilton said that this year, even at 1-7, the undersized and undermanned Tritons can pose problems.
"There’s no quit in them," Wilton said.
Wilton said he is confident the Warriors will not look ahead to Thursday’s match against top-ranked Long Beach State.
"We know (the Tritons) won’t be a pushover," Wilton said. "I think we’ll be in our one-day-at-a-time mode."
Of greater concern, Wilton said, is the health of UH setter Kimo Tuyay, who did not practice yesterday because of severe flu symptoms. Tuyay spent yesterday resting at his parents’ San Diego house.
If Tuyay isn’t available, UH will start 6-foot-1 sophomore Kyle Denitz, who has been used almost exclusively as a serving specialist this season. But Wilton said Denitz has received enough work during practices to step into a starting role. Also, Wilton said, the left-handed Denitz offers a different attacking style than the right-handed Tuyay.
On Saturday, UH made other adjustments. Eyal Zimet moved from second outside hitter to opposite, a subtle transition that gives him more opportunities to serve as a passer. It also freed outside hitter Costas Theocharidis to receive sets from the six rotation spots.
"We made Costas the feature guy," Wilton said. "He likes it. A hitter likes to hit."
