Volleyball diary: Win over Penn State euphoric

Editor's note: Each day a UH men's volleyball player will chronicle his day for The Advertiser. Today, Rasay, a redshirt freshman from Konawaena High, talks about his good fortune.

• Vernon Podlewski: Nothing like hard practice to show that you're ready
• Costas Theocharidis: Breakfast special worth waiting for
• Dejan Miladinovic: To final 4: By plane, car and Subway
• Jose Delgado: Lucky to be here as rookie

By Daniel Rasay

People asked me if I was nervous, coming into the game against the loud crowd. It doesn't matter. I have to be ready.

Coach (Mike) Wilton always tells me before the game, "You have to be ready at any time."

I try to keep my head in the game when I'm not playing. I try to notice which of our hitters is doing well. I look at what the defense is doing against our offense.

I like to work with Costas Theocharidis. Costas is one of best players in the nation. He always talks about feeling comfortable with me on the court. If he feels comfortable with me, why shouldn't I feel comfortable with him? It's easy for me to connect with him. It's like we have a connection.

I'm not on scholarship. I get financial aid from the school and money from the Kamehameha Schools scholarship program. It helps me get by.

It's been a dream of mine to play for this team. This is the only team I want to play for. That's what keeps me going. I have some goals I want to reach.

I grew up watching this team on TV. I remember when Yuval Katz was playing for Hawai'i.

I even remember watching Dejan Miladinovic playing when I was a freshman. He was here for three or four years before I first came here last season. I was probably about 14, maybe, when I first watched him play on TV.

I was just starting volleyball then. I guess I looked up to him.

I remember when I first met Dejan last year. I was like, "Wow." It was an honor playing with such a great player. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm on this team and playing with such great players.