Hawai'i blocks out 4th-ranked USC

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Thirsting for a boost last night, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team decided it was "Mila Time."

Hawai'i middle blocker Brenton Davis powers a spike through the block of USC's Donny Killian last night. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

The second-ranked Warriors improved to 14-3 overall and 9-2 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, maintaining their lead in the Pacific Division. This was their final MPSF home match of the regular season, although they will play five home exhibitions, starting with tonight's match against California.

The Trojans fell to 10-5 and 9-5.

"We made a statement," UH outside hitter Costas Theocharidis said - and the draft was written by the 6-foot-7 Miladinovic.

Miladinovic amassed 14 blocks, including two solo rejections, and had seven kills. He did not make a hitting error.

"Everybody knew it was a big match, and Dejan is a big-match player," UH middle blocker Brenton Davis said. "We can always rely on him. When (opposing players) are swinging into Dejan's block, it's kind of a tough proposition. He's an unbelievable player. He's always reading (swings). He's always one step ahead. It was definitely Mila Time."

Theocharidis, who led UH with 23 kills, said Miladinovic helped ease the load of a tired team. "We had lousy practices this week because we're so tired," Theocharidis said.

"I don't know about the outside guys," Miladinovic countered, "but the middle guys had good practices."

Miladinovic, who routinely takes a 90-minute pre-match nap, woke up to stuff USC's usually strong interior offense. Miladinovic received help from Davis, Theocharidis, Eyal Zimet, Kimo Tuyay and Torry Tukuafu.

But, USC coach Pat Powers conceded, Miladinovic caused the most problems. "He shut down our middle," Powers said. "That'll take care of us."

The Trojans repeatedly went outside to Brook Billings, an All-America last year, and Eli Fairfield. Billings, who has perhaps the strongest swing in the MPSF, had 10 kills in the first game and served tough in the second.

But Billings' shots were like arrows without tails, and by the fourth game, he struggled mightily with his accuracy. Of his last four kill attempts, three sailed long or wide and the fourth never cleared a double block. He finished with a match-high 27 kills and 18 hitting errors. He missed three of his serves.

"I thought our offense was out of sync," Powers said.

The root of the problem is likely USC's difficulties in adjusting to sophomore setter Miles McGann, who succeeded All-America Donald Suxho. Evidence of the transitional problems are found in Billings' declining hitting percentage, from .339 last year to .220 this season.

"No disrespect , but (McGann) was easier to read," Miladinovic said. "He's not very experienced, and that helped our block."

UH also was able to rally without any relief help. Top substitute Tony Ching did not play because of injuries sustained in a mo-ped accident last weekend.

To compensate for the loss of Ching's offense, the Warriors expanded Davis' role. Instead of going to the bench after rotating out of the front row, Davis was allowed to stay in and receive sets in the back row. Davis had 10 kills.

"Once we played through the fog, we were OK," UH head coach Mike Wilton said.