'Bows upend second-ranked Bruins in first match

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's Jose Delgado dug a UCLA spike during last night's match between the third-ranked Warriors and the second-ranked Bruins at the Stan Sheriff Center. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

After being pushed around for two decades and the first game last night, the Warriors fought back for a 19-30, 30-26, 30-16, 30-25 victory over second-ranked UCLA in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"This is payback for all of the years they beat us, day in and day out," UH libero Vernon Podlewski said following a group hug after the match. "We're tired of going home and being ticked off. We don't like feeling not hungry and going to bed early because we're so upset."

Before 5,108 — including UH president Evan Dobelle, the members of the Rainbow basketball team and Alan Hackbarth, the human Gumby — the Warriors improved to 18-6 overall and 15-4 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, tying the Bruins for second place.

The Warriors entered with a 10-41 record against the Bruins, and had not won a home meeting since 1999.

"We said we were going to come out and play," UH outside hitter Costas Theocharidis said. "It's a big rivalry with UCLA. They're a traditional power and they're kind of arrogant. They always look down on us. They say it's a mental game, and the game is supposed to be over before it starts. But we proved the game is over when we take the last point."

UCLA's blueprint called for serving to the heart of the UH defense, forcing the passers to scramble and negating the middle attack. On offense, the Bruins wanted to go outside to Cameron Mount, a punishing cross-body hitter, or quick set to Chris Pena and Paul Johnson in the middle.

The Warriors appeared to be dazed and confused. UH coach Mike Wilton called two early timeouts, and then lifted outside hitter Eyal Zimet.

"We must not have phoned in the wake-up call," Wilton said.

Said UCLA's Mount: "We were happy with how we played in the first game, but we knew they weren't going to roll over."

Between the first and second games, Wilton told his players, "Hey, guys, that one is history. It's an aberration. Let's get it going right now."

Then he turned the offense over to Theocharidis. "In collegiate volleyball, he's as close as it gets to being Michael Jordan," UH middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic said. "It was no secret our plan was to get the ball to Costas. He's the best player in the country. He's our go-to guy."

Mixing push shots with 65-mph heaters, Theocharidis pounded out 13 kills in the momentum-turning second game. In the first two games, he took 38 swings. He finished with 29 kills, and took 63 of the Warriors' 137 swings.

"Costas took charge in Game 2, and we couldn't stop him," UCLA coach Al Scates said.

Said Theocharidis: "I don't mind taking the swings. That's my job."

Soon, the Bruins began venting their frustrations. When Miladinovic hit a two-handed shot, giving UH a 26-22 lead in Game 2, Pena vehemently argued that Miladinovic reached across the net. Pena was assessed a yellow card, and UH received a free point.

Later, the Bruins complained that UH's Kimo Tuyay was allowed to "deep dish" — palm the volleyball — during sets. UH players denied the accusation.

"He's allowed to hang onto the ball for an exceptionally long period of time, which can be used to their advantage to misdirect the block," Scates said. "You can see the difference between our setter, who got rid of the ball quickly, as do most of the setters in the league, and the deep dish, which is generally used on the beach."

Said Podlewski: "We got into their heads. They started to argue with the refs. They started getting frustrated. They weren't the normal UCLA Bruins, who are steady and cocky. They seemed to get rattled."

The Warriors followed the smell of blood. Miladinovic and freshman Delano Thomas controlled the net; Podlewski, Zimet and Tony Ching made sprawling digs; and Theocharidis kept swinging away.

"We got everybody involved," Wilton said.

"It happens sometimes," said Pena, noting UCLA played without injured outside hitter Jonathan Acosta and quick hitter Scott Morrow. "We're in a lull right now. I think we'll put this one behind us. I have already."