Middle blocker just glad to be practicing

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

For two hours each day, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team goes through an exhaustive, mind-numbing practice that should earn each player initiation into a fraternity. After that, according to trainer Michelle Landis, it takes 25 pounds of crushed ice to numb their aches.

Practice, to be sure, is not easy. But to middle blocker Rob Drew, the hard work of practice is a reward for his hard work in medical rehabilitation centers the past two years.

"I'm grateful to be out here," Drew said.

As an 18-year-old freshman four years ago, Drew was diagnosed with ulceratic colitis, a hereditary condition in which the colon becomes inflamed. The condition is related to Crohn's Disease. Although the cause of ulceratic colitis is not known, it is believed that stress aggravates the condition.

Drew continued to have problems, and two years ago, he underwent the first of five surgeries. Finally, he said, "they had to take out my colon."

The 6-foot-8 Drew lost nearly 100 pounds in several weeks, dropping to 155, and was fitted for a colostomy, which he wore for eight months.

He said 5 1/2 feet of his large intestine were removed.

But Drew, a senior who did not play the past two seasons, said "every time I went through rehab or any type of surgery, volleyball was the only thing that kept me going. All I wanted was to get healthy enough to play a little volleyball."

Drew, who now weighs 190 pounds, is back at practice, although he has not been medically cleared to play in matches.

He is prohibited from eating vegetables and fibered foods, and he has problems digesting dairy products.

"I have to take Metamucil every time I eat," he said. "It's a pain, but I'm alive. I could have died a couple of times. I'm happy to be alive and playing here."

UH coach Mike Wilton has offered to allow Drew to serve as manager, a job that would provide him with more financial aid than if he were a player. He also could travel with the team.

For now, Drew said, "I want to play. I want to show people I can beat this thing on my own. I just want to play a little bit. I don't expect to start. I know my role. But I'd like to come off the bench."

He said even to practice is "a dream in itself. I'm going to try my hardest. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, I can at least say I tried."

He said his goals are to gain weight and "hopefully make a spectacular comeback. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But those are my goals."

Notes: Outside hitter Costas Theocharidis is being treated for mild tendinitis in his right biceps. "It's kind of sore, you know, but I can play through it." Theochar-idis said he originally suffered the injury while playing tennis against teammate Eyal Zimet two years ago. Wilton said he believes medical treatment and lessening Theocharidis' number of swings each game should help.