Wilton admonishes team after lethargic workout

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The enthusiasm gauge was near "E" — after all, it was 5:45 a.m. Hawai'i time — when assistant coach Tino Reyes decided the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team needed a wake-up call.

Reyes reached into a nylon basket, grabbed volleyballs and tossed them into the air while demanding that the players make diving saves on the Rec Hall court. After tossing the 24th volleyball, Reyes' supply — but not exasperation — was exhausted.

"We're in the final four," Reyes said. "The way we're playing, we're going to go home on Friday."

The Warriors, on the eighth day of their longest road trip of the season, were tired and bruised.

"There was a little bit of standing around," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "Maybe some people still are getting adjusted to the time zones."

But in the single-elimination tournament that will determine the national champion, there is little time for self-pity. The second-seeded Warriors face No. 3 Penn State, the tournament host, in tomorrow's semifinals. Top-seeded Pepperdine and No. 4 Ball State meet in the other semifinal. The championship match is Saturday.

Wilton acknowledged the trip has not been easy. Still, in a short meeting after practice, Wilton implored his players to fight through the blahs.

"We told them all of that stuff doesn't count for spit," Wilton recalled. "It means nothing. You have to forget all of that stuff. You have to will yourself to play well. That's all that matters. If you think, 'I'm tired, I'm hurt,' there are 84 teams in the country who are tired and hurt, and they all wish they were here. This is an opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of."

The Warriors spent most of the practice working on serving and passing. In last Saturday's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title match, Pepperdine often served to UH's right, forcing the Warriors to angle passes to setter Kimo Tuyay. Pepperdine's strategy, in essence, reduced UH's offense, making it difficult for Tuyay to set effectively to the left-side hitters. Wilton said it is important for the Warriors to win the serve-and-pass battle.

"We have to remember what worked for us during the regular season, and do it," Tuyay said. "It's just a matter of playing with confidence."

UH president Evan Dobelle and athletic director Hugh Yoshida are expected to arrive today, giving the Warriors another reason to advance to the title match.

"We have a dinner planned with President Dobelle Friday night," UH middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic said. "It would be rude not to show up. I think we'll be ready to play. We'll turn it up."

Said Wilton: "They'll be OK."

• Daily grinds: The first perk is due today when each final four participant receives an increase in per diem.

The Warriors each receive about $55 per day on road trips. After deducting their share of the hotel bill, the players each are left with about $15 per day for meals.

The per diem is higher for national championship tournaments. In addition, the NCAA pays for a team's travel and hotel expenses.

But assistant coach Aaron Wilton, who played on UH's 1996 final four team, said spending habits are difficult to change. He said the players probably will try to save money by continuing to buy sandwiches.

• Career crossroads: Josh Stanhiser, a 6-foot-10 reserve on the UH basketball team, is expected to decide shortly whether he will play for the volleyball team next season.

Stanhiser, who redshirted last season, is a walk-on. He is receiving an academic scholarship.

Stanhiser was offered a partial scholarship to play volleyball next season. The Warriors hope Stanhiser will compete to succeed Miladinovic, who is completing his collegiate career this weekend.