Hawai'i takes on USC in league home finale

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Who said there are no long rallies in men's volleyball?

Southern California coach Pat Powers praised Hawai'i's middle block. Hawai'i coach Mike Wilton gushed about the Trojans' outside hitting.

Powers hailed the Warriors' serving; Wilton paid tribute to USC's depth.

And so it went.

But it is certain that both teams are talented - UH is ranked No. 2, USC is No. 4 - and tonight's match will have an impact on the volleyball landscape. The Warriors (13-3 and 8-2) are atop the Pacific Division of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation; USC (10-4, 9-4) is fourth.

"I hope we can make a statement," UH outside hitter Costas Theocharidis said.

For the Warriors, this is the last MPSF home match - their final six are on the road - and the first without Tony Ching, their most versatile player.

Ching, who suffered a deep gash to his left forearm in a mo-ped accident Sunday night, is not expected to play in the next four matches.

Ching not only shared the opposite position with Torry Tukuafu in recent matches, but he also was the top understudy for Theocharidis and outside hitter Eyal Zimet. Ching also is considered to be a good passer.

Except for using Kyle Denitz or Jake Muise as a designated server, the Warriors used eight players regularly at the seven positions.

"It's a little tough," UH setter Kimo Tuyay said of Ching's injury. "If somebody gets hurt or doesn't play so well, he would come in and give us a lift. He has a good competitive nature that we'll miss."

But UH coach Mike Wilton said he has confidence in Tukuafu, who is considered to be a good server. "Torry will be fine," Wilton said. "He's a warrior."

The Trojans also should be able to withstand the possible absence of middle blocker Josh Day, who did not practice Wednesday night because of a virus. Day leads USC in blocks (1.09 per game) and averages 2.06 kills per game.

Still, middle blocker Donny Killian is playing well, and two middles who hurt UH last season - 6-foot-7 Mark Dusharms and 6-5 Beau Rawl - are available.

"They're loaded at middle blocker," Wilton said. "If Day is out, they'll be fine."

The majority of the sets go outside, to Brook Billings (4.78 kills per game) and Eli Fairfield (3.83). "They're hitting a lot of balls for us," Powers said. "We have some depth we can play with."

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation

Conference Overall

Pacific

Mountain

Last Night

Rutgers at CS Northridge
Concordia at UC Irvine

Tonight

Southern California at Hawai'i
Ohio State at Pacific
Quincy at UC San Diego

Tomorrow

UC Irvine at Pepperdine
UCLA at Long Beach State
Concordia at Brigham Young
Ohio State at Pacific
Quincy at CS Northridge