Overcoming the absence of its best hitter and an illness to its setter, the University of Hawai‘i cruised to a 30-14, 30-17, 30-24 men’s volleyball victory over UC San Diego yesterday in the Tritons’ gym.
UH outside hitter Costas Theocharidis was hospitalized hours before the match with what was believed to be colitis, an inflammation of the colon. Theocharidis suffered from colitis last year. He is not expected to play in tomorrow’s match against third-ranked Long Beach State.
"I’m very concerned about him," UH coach Mike Wilton said, adding that Theocharidis became severely ill late Monday. He was admitted to the UC San Diego hospital.
Setter Kimo Tuyay did not practice Monday because of flu symptoms and was not expected to play. But Tuyay, who was raised in San Diego, started the first two games before complaining of dizziness during the intermission before the third game. He had six block assists.
"He looked like he ate something that didn’t agree with him," Wilton said.
Still, the Warriors were in control, except for a brief lapse in the third game. Their tough serves confused the Tritons, who had difficulty starting their offense. UH outside hitter Eyal Zimet had seven of the Warriors’ 11 aces.
Tony Ching, who started in place of Theocharidis, had a match-high 13 kills. Four UH starters hit at least .600, led by Zimet’s .750 (six kills).
The sixth-ranked Warriors improved to 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
The unranked Tritons fell to 1-8 and 0-7.
