Warriors planning to play in Shanghai
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team is working on details to play exhibition matches in Shanghai in November.
The proposal calls for the Warriors to play at least two exhibition matches against the Shanghai Sports Institute's senior team for ages 18-25. The institute, which is sponsored by the Chinese government, draws players from across the country. The senior players practice during the day and attend school at night.
NCAA rules allow men's volleyball teams to play up to four days of exhibition matches during the fall semester. The Shanghai Sports Institute invited UH to compete in an international tournament in September, but UH coach Mike Wilton turned down the offer because it did not allow the Warriors enough preparation time.
Instead, Wilton proposed a home-and-home series with Shanghai. In exchange for serving as host to UH in November, the Shanghai senior team would play in the Warriors' Outrigger Invitational in January. UH is offering to pay for the travel and lodging of 18 Shanghai team members. UH president Evan Dobelle is expected to help defray the expenses of the Warriors' trip to China.
UH submitted the proposal to Shanghai officials last week. Jialin "Sunny" Sun, a UH assistant swimming coach who has several ties to China, is helping with the arrangements.
"We want to start a relationship over there," said Wilton, who eventually would like to recruit in Asia.
Wilton said it appears that All-America outside hitter Costas Theocharidis will not make the trip to China. Theocharidis is training with Greece's national team and probably will not return to Hawai'i until the start of the 2003 spring semester.
Wilton said he is finalizing the Warriors' 2003 nonconference schedule. UH will open the season against Lewis and play host to Loyola-Chicago in March.
Also, Wilton said libero Vernon Podlewski, who completed his eligibility last month, will serve as a student assistant next season. Podlewski is scheduled to graduate next spring.
