Banged-up volley 'Bows will sit out this weekend
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
While University of Hawai'i volleyball players Eyal Zimet and Tony Ching have made significant improvements from injuries, their availability for next week's four-match road trip remains in question.
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UH coach Mike Wilton said Zimet, who has a stress fracture in his left shin, and Ching, who suffered a deep gash in his left forearm during a mo-ped accident, will not play in this weekend's exhibitions against Arizona.
Eyal Zimet has a fracture in his shin.
Tony Ching has a gash in his forearm.
Wilton said Zimet, who does not want to take anti-inflammation medication, was fitted for a brace that alleviates pressure on his left shin. He also undergoes magnetic therapy.
"He feels better," said Wilton, adding, "his primary form of rehabilitation is rest."
Zimet was excused from yesterday's practice to spend time with his parents, who are visiting from Israel.
"We really need him," Wilton said of Zimet, UH's best server and an accurate second passer. "Losing Eyal would be huge."
Ching had at least 20 stitches to cover the gash suffered in last week's mo-ped accident. The bandages were removed Monday.
"It seems to be healing nicely," Wilton said, although Ching has complained of tightness whenever he makes a left-handed fist. "I don't know what will happen, but I know Tony is a good guy to have around."
The problem, Wilton said, is the versatile Ching is Zimet's primary backup at outside hitter. In an exhibition against California on Saturday, the 5-foot-11 Jake Muise, who joined the team as a libero last fall, started at Zimet's position.
While Muise was an effective server and he managed to soar for blocks several times against California, it is difficult to imagine a repeat performance against the taller Mountain Pacific Sports Federation hitters the Warriors will face on next week's trip.
"There's not a lot of court for him to work with," Wilton said of Muise's difficulties hitting over a taller block.
Still, Wilton said Muise will start for Zimet in this week's exhibitions and, in an emergency, middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic might slide over to the outside. Miladinovic is considered to be one of the country's top middles, but his accurate passing also makes him a workable replacement at outside hitter, Wilton said.
"It would be nice to have Eyal and Tony around, because then we can really spread the reps around," Wilton said. "But we can't, so it is what it is."
