Alumni still have the game to win

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The past came back to haunt the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team last night.

What was supposed to be a celebration of the Warriors' 2002 national championship turned into a delightful homecoming for an alumni team that even used the retro nickname of "Rainbows."

The Rainbows, whose roster included two players from the UH championship team — middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic and libero Vernon Podlewski — outlasted the Warriors, 26-24, 21-25, 25-20, in an exhibition match before 1,676 in the Stan Sheriff Center.

Showing respect to his elders, Warrior libero Jake Muise said, "They definitely still have game. They're Rainbows, but they have the Warrior spirit."

The Rainbows received a boost from Miladinovic, who played mostly outside hitter, and Rick Tune.

"It was fun," said Miladinovic, who blasted away jump serves. "There was no pressure whatsoever."

Without the worry of having to practice for another year, Miladinovic, who played with a sore right shoulder last season, said, "I could let loose. The shoulder feels fine when you play only once every six months."

Warrior outside hitter Costas Theocharidis said "it felt kind of weird" to see Miladinovic and Podlewski across the net.

"But I guess I'll be on their side for next year's alumni game," Theocharidis said.

The match featured several unique twists. Joshua Stanhiser, the Warriors' 6-foot-10 middle blocker, sported the Britney-midriff look when he wore the 5-foot-7 Podlewski's old No. 7 jersey.

UH middle blocker Brian Nordberg took over the microphone, mocking Warrior setter Kimo Tuyay's long hair, the alumni's endurance and Rainbow outside hitter Troy Hotz' hot pants. When Warrior outside hitter Tony Ching slammed a shot past the weary Rainbows, Nordberg announced, "Dr. Frank, we have a Code Blue."

Then the Rainbows' Jason Olive, who portrays Dr. Frank Hubbard on the soap opera, "All My Children," raced onto the court. But Dr. Hubbard apparently has had trouble curing himself.

"I had a back injury, so I couldn't play for several years," Olive said. "Actually, this is my first time playing in a real game in a long time. I was fortunate that I could get a two-week vacation to come out here. I'm just so proud of those guys being national champions."

The Warriors mixed and matched rotations, using almost every available player. There were four newcomers in the lineup for the third game.

Still, despite the outcome, these were the same confident Warriors. "It was fun to talk trash to Dejan and Vernon," Theocharidis said. "It's nothing new. We talked trash to them when we were teammates."

Before the match, the Warriors received their commemorative championship rings.

"To get a ring," Theocharidis said, "was one of our goals. I want another ring, this time for my toes."