Warriors have every thing to lose

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In theory, when the judge orders the jury to ignore an outburst in the court room — presto! — memories are supposed to be erased.

But in college men's volleyball, as in the real world, some images are indelible. It would be difficult for pollsters to ignore the outcome should No. 2 Hawai'i struggle or, even worse, lose to Arizona in exhibition matches tonight and tomorrow night in the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors are members of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the best college volleyball league in America. The Wildcats compete at the club level.

"They're not supposed to look at this match," UH coach Mike Wilton said of the pollsters. But acknowledging human nature, he said, "I choose to look at it this way: It's a match we need to play and to play well."

In all exhibitions, Wilton said the goals are to play well, to win and to use as many players as possible. In last week's exhibition against California, little-used Scott Panaro managed to get into the match.

"That was the highlight for me," Wilton said. "When you get those moments, it's a treat."

Wilton said he will rest outside hitters Eyal Zimet and Tony Ching this weekend. Zimet has a stress fracture in his left shin. Ching is recovering from a deep gash on his left forearm that was sustained in a mo-ped accident last week.

Wilton said both are expected to play in next week's four-match road trip.

But tonight, Wilton said, 5-foot-11 Jake Muise will start for Zimet at outside hitter. Muise came to UH last fall as a libero, but moved to outside hitter when Vernon Podlewski, who joined the team in January, won the defensive-specialist job.

Wilton said reserve middle blocker Maulia LaBarre, who started the first game of last week's exhibition against California, also will play. With the exception of Muise, Wilton said, the Warriors will start their usual lineup of middle blockers Brenton Davis and Dejan Miladinovic, outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, opposite hitter Torry Tukuafu, Podlewski and setter Kimo Tuyay.

Not much is know about the Wildcats, who offer the NCAA men's volleyball limit of 4.5 scholarships. Most club teams do not offer scholarships.

Chris Kosty, who started for UH in 1998 and 1999, was on the Arizona team early in the season before quitting.

Tonight's exhibition will not be televised or broadcast. KFVE will televise tomorrow night's match.