Last week, UH split a two-match series against UC Irvine, which is No. 1 for the second consecutive week.

"Who knows what we really are," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "Maybe we're No. 37. But until we get back in the business of being prepared mentally and physically for every match, (a ranking is) kind of irrelevant. Doing that is the task at hand."

Wilton is considering another lineup change for tomorrow's road match against No. 5 Long Beach State.

One option is to expand the role of freshman Pedro Azenha, who can play left-side hitter, opposite hitter and middle blocker. Azenha filled in for left-side hitter Tony Ching in last Friday night's match against UC Irvine, then replaced opposite hitter Eyal Zimet in the rematch the next day.

"That's one thing under consideration," Wilton said. "We'll see what happens."

Jake Muise started at libero, or back-row defensive specialist, for the Warriors' first five matches before ceding the job to freshman Matt Motter. Despite struggling in the second match against Irvine, Motter is expected to start tomorrow. UH has limited options because Muise did not make the road trip and backup Arri Jeschke has played in only one match this season.

Wilton said he is hopeful Zimet, the team's captain, will rebound from Saturday's match, in which he had difficulty handling the Anteaters' serves. Zimet has been limited because of back pain compounded by spasms, but is proclaiming to be in good health now.

"He's either hurt, which he says he's not, or he had a horrible match," Wilton said. "But I suppose everyone but Delano (Thomas, the middle blocker) had problems."

Zimet and outside hitter Costas Theocharidis rejoined the team last night after returning to the Islands for class work.