Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2002

Ching returns to practice

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i men's volleyball player Tony Ching has recovered and is back, but teammate Eyal Zimet's back needs to recover.

Those are the developments as the Warriors prepare for Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches Friday and Saturday against UC San Diego at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Ching, a junior outside hitter from the Kamehameha Schools, was expected to miss another two weeks of play because of a muscle tear in the back of his swinging shoulder. But after receiving medical clearance, he practiced yesterday.

"He looked OK, although he was a little rusty," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "It's all up to Tony now."

Ching suffered the injury in the opening series three weeks ago, and did not play in UH's last seven matches. While the Warriors were on the road for four matches last week, Ching played beach volleyball here, and did not report any discomfort in his right shoulder.

Wilton said Ching has been placed on the active roster, although his status as a starter will be determined in practice. In a system measuring efficiency in practice, freshman Jose Delgado yesterday scored a plus-13 to Ching's plus-5.

Zimet, a junior outside hitter who is the team's best passer and server, did not practice yesterday because of a bulging disk. Zimet is being treated with ice, heat and electrical stimulation. Wilton said he believes Zimet will be ready to play this weekend, but if not, there is a chance Ching and Delgado can be in the rotation at the same time.

"They will have to hone up on their passing, because that's one of Eyal's strengths," Wilton said.

Meanwhile, the Warriors (7-2 overall and 4-0 in the MPSF) advanced one spot, to No. 3 with 209 points, in this week's USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Top-ranked UCLA (9-1, 5-0) received 235 points and 12 No. 1 votes, followed by Pepperdine (10-2, 4-0) with 218 points and two first-place votes. Fourth-ranked Brigham Young received the two other first-place votes.