UH volleyball gets one of Southern California's best

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team has secured a commitment from one of the top high school volleyball players in Southern California.

Matt Motter of La Costa Canyon High in San Diego will be reunited with his beach volleyball teammate, UH setter Kimo Tuyay.

"Hawai'i is a great place," said Motter, who also is a member of the Junior National team. "It fits my style of living."

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Motter has a 35-inch vertical jump, is a powerful jump server, and can play outside hitter and libero. He said his preference is to play outside hitter in college. After suffering an injury earlier this year, he played setter.

Coaches are not allowed to comment on recruits. But Tuyay, a sophomore, remembered when Motter was in the seventh grade. "He was maybe 5-8," Tuyay recalled. "By the time I was a senior, he was 6-3. He's always working out in the gym or at the beach. He's like a beach rat."

Tuyay, who served as Motter's host during last weekend's recruiting visit, said they were teammates at beach volleyball tournaments in South Mission last summer.

"He has good fundamentals, because he's from the beach, and he has a really good jump serve," Tuyay said.

Motter also took a recruiting trip to Pepperdine.

Meanwhile, UH coach Mike Wilton is awaiting a decision from Josh Stanhiser, a member of the Rainbow basketball team.

The 6-foot-10 Stanhiser, who receives an academic scholarship, redshirted in basketball last season. He began working out with the volleyball team two weeks ago.

Wilton has referred to Stanhiser as "our No. 1 draft choice," and insists Stanhiser could start at middle blocker next season.

Wilton and UH basketball coach Riley Wallace have discussed Stanhiser, who is expected to decide on a sport in the next few weeks.