UH men's volleyball taps England for recruit

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

A member of England's national men's volleyball team will play for the University of Hawai'i next season.

Yassir Sliti, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound middle blocker, said he chose UH because of its reputation working with international players. Sliti, 18, was born in Morocco but moved to London when he was 6. He has a British passport. He speaks both Arabic and English.

He currently is taking classes at Croydon College in London, but said he hopes to have four years of eligibility at UH.

Sliti said it was a "threat" that led to his introduction to volleyball four years ago. His high school teacher, Gary Beckford, said Sliti had to participate in a volleyball class or face detention.

"I had to go (to volleyball class), but I ended up liking it," Sliti said.

After graduating from high school last summer, Sliti worked a series of jobs before enrolling at Croydon. He said Beckford helped recommend him to the UH coaches.

Sliti said he has never been to the United States — he did not take a recruiting trip to UH — but was drawn to the UH's large fan base and the number of international players. Of the Warriors' seven starters, three were born in Europe.

"Hawai'i is very attractive to me," Sliti said.

He said he is a member of England's national team, and hopes to play professionally in Italy after earning a college degree.

Last November, 6-foot-6 middle blocker Delano Thomas of Sacramento, Calif., signed a letter of intent with the Warriors.

Middle blocker Brenton Davis and outside hitter Torry Tukuafu are the Warriors' only seniors. It is not known if middle blocker Rob Drew, who withdrew from school while recovering from colitis, will return.

But it does not appear the Warriors will lose any more players. Middle blocker Geronimo Chala, who is not eligible to play this season, will play next year, and underclassmen Dejan Miladinovic, Costas Theocharidis, Eyal Zimet, Vernon Podlewski and Kimo Tuyay said they also will be back.