Posted on: Tuesday, April 15, 2003

UH volleyball's Thomas aims for Pacific

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Despite suffering from back spasms, University of Hawai'i middle blocker Delano Thomas vowed to play in the opening round of the volleyball playoffs.

Thomas did not play in Saturday's regular-season finale, and if a match were to be played tonight, "I don't know if I could play. I'm not sure. I would have to see how it goes after I'm warmed up."

But he said he expects to be healthy when the Warriors host Pacific in Saturday's opening round of the eight-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament.

Thomas said his rehabilitation includes electrical stimulation, ice treatments and shiatsu massage.

Thomas, who had suffered a partially torn muscle in his thumb earlier in the season, said this was the first time he has experienced back problems. He has missed only one match because of an injury in two seasons at UH.

Thomas joined teammates, coaches and staff members during yesterday's beach outing.

"They've worked hard, and I promised them a beach day," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

Perhaps the only disappointment was the players had wanted to go to Sandy's, as originally planned, where the waves reached 3 to 4 feet. But in changing the location to Walls off Waikiki, Wilton said, "We have too many rookies. We don't want anybody getting hurt surfing."

Wilton, who regularly surfs, was the first to arrive at the beach.

"This is a good idea," backup setter Daniel Rasay said. "I think coach wants us to get our mind off volleyball. We did the same thing last year, and it was a good time to bond and relax. So why not?"

Some of the players arrived on mopeds; others on skateboards.

"It's good to get away from the gym for a while," outside hitter Tony Ching said. "We get to relax before going back to work. We have a lot of work to do if we want to win another national championship."

The winner of the MPSF Tournament earns an automatic berth in the NCAA final four. Wilton believes the Warriors would qualify for at least an at-large by reaching the MPSF final.