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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 15, 2002

Enough talk, Warriors are ready to play

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Who says men don't talk about their feelings?

Before yesterday's practice at Cal State Northridge, the members of the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team sat in a circle and discussed their emotions following Wednesday night's three-game loss to UC Santa Barbara.

They spoke of that match's impact — the Warriors fell from atop the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation to third, behind UCLA and Pepperdine — and the corrective steps needed.

"It was a good talk," middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic said. "I don't think the team is down anymore. We're ready. The loss (to UCSB) ... it just happened. We didn't respond. My own explanation is all six guys on the court had an off-night."

After a spirited two-hour practice, UH coach Mike Wilton announced the Warriors' new strategy. "We'll show up," he said, referring to tonight's match against Northridge. "We'll come ready to play."

The ninth-ranked Matadors present a difficult obstacle. Setter Ty Tramblie often looks to Eckhard Walter, a 6-foot-10 opposite hitter who is averaging an MPSF-high 5.4 kills per game. Walter takes about 35 percent of the Matadors' swings; in certain rotations, he will receive up to 60 percent of the sets.

In Wednesday's match, Santa Barbara planted its block in the middle and forced the Warriors to the outside. "With bad passing, it made it very elementary where we were going," Wilton said.

Yesterday, the Warriors used speed drills, their version of fast-break volleyball, to work on their passing.

"I was not planning on losing (Wednesday) night," Wilton said. "That part was a setback, for sure. We made some strides in the previous four matches. I guess when you're progressing, you're going to stumble. We, for sure, stumbled. We need to resume our quest."

The Warriors received a boost with the addition of outside hitter Tony Ching, who missed the Santa Barbara series while recovering from walking pneumonia. Ching was medically cleared Tuesday, and he arrived in California yesterday.

Ching has not played in two weeks — he was suspended for two matches for arguing with the coaches before he suffered the illness — and there are concerns about his strength.

Ching can play UH's three outside positions, but he is most effective on the left side, where All-America Costas Theocharidis and Eyal Zimet, the team's best server and passer, start each match. Wilton said Ching can serve as a replacement for Zimet or Jose Delgado, UH's freshman right-side hitter.

"He can give us a lift," Wilton said. "We could have used him the other night when we really struggled."

Wilton said the Warriors also missed middle blocker Delano Thomas, who remained in Honolulu to work on academics. Wilton said Thomas' next progress check is Monday, and if he passes, he will be allowed to travel with the team to Pepperdine next week.

The Warriors, who are 7-1 in road matches this season, have four more remaining. They close the season with six consecutive home matches. UH probably needs to finish in the top two during the regular season and reach the finals of the MPFS tournament to earn a berth in the NCAA final four.