Posted on: Monday, April 30, 2001
Volleyball warriors will have to look to next year
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
SALT LAKE CITY — In a short cellular telephone conversation, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball season ended quietly.
It was at the Salt Lake City airport that UH coach Mike Wilton learned the Warriors' season would not be extended through an invitation to the NCAA final four. Instead, Brigham Young, ranked No. 1 nationally and seeded first in the recently completed Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament, received the lone NCAA at-large berth.
The other three berths went to the conference tournament winners, including UCLA, which defeated Hawai'i in the Saturday's MPSF championship match. UH had beaten BYU in Thursday night's semifinals, but the NCAA selection committee, as expected, chose the Cougars based on their MPSF regular-season championship. The MPSF is considered to be the strongest of the three conferences.
"It's not surprising," Wilton said. "We're a little down, but we know it was a great ride. We had a great season. I'm very proud of this team."
Wilton also is enthused about next season. Middle blocker Brenton Davis and outside hitter Torry Tukuafu are the only two starters who have completed their eligibility.
Middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic, who will earn a bachelor's degree this summer or in the fall, said he will return for his senior season. All-America outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, who recently was admitted into UH's business school, outside hitter Eyal Zimet, opposite hitter Tony Ching, libero Vernon Podlewski and freshman setter Kimo Tuyay also said they will play for UH next season.
Geronimo Chala, who started six games as a freshman in 2000 but redshirted this year, will return, as will freshman middle blocker Maulia Labarre. Middle blocker Rob Drew, who withdrew from school to recover from colitis, might return to school, although it is not known if he will be able to play.
UH already signed 6-foot-6 Delano Thomas, who can play both the middle and outside.
According to several scouting services, the Warriors are finalists for Ryan Owens, a 6-6 sophomore at Orange Coast Community College in California, and 6-4 Jose-Jose Delgado, a member of the Puerto Rico Junior team. Delgado already has visited Ohio State, UCLA and UC Santa Barbara, although UH appears to be his top choice.
The only Warrior whose future is in uncertain is Wilton. His one-year contract expires May 31, and no talks are scheduled.
"I want to come back," Wilton said. "I'm not going anywhere."
