UH, Long Beach State resume hostilities tonight
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The architectural design of the Pyramid, site of tonight's men's volleyball match, is nearly as complex as the relationship between the participants — second-ranked Hawai'i and host Long Beach State.
5:15 p.m., KKEA (1420AM)
While each team has spoken highly of the other's abilities, an on-court animosity was displayed during three highly emotional matches in Honolulu last season. During one, Long Beach State middle blocker David Lee made a throat-slashing gesture at the Warriors.
On the radio
After the Warriors defeated the 49ers in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament last year, Dejan Miladinovic, then a UH senior middle blocker, yelled: "See ya suckers!"
While a rapprochement has been reached between the teams, the Warriors still expect a hostile greeting from 49er fans tonight.
"That's part of sports," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "You learn to deal with that or you do something else."
Wilton said the crowd might provide inspiration for the Warriors, who are looking to recover from last Saturday's one-sided loss to UC Irvine.
"Some of our players need to have stuff like that to increase their motivation," Wilton said.
Wilton has been pondering several lineup adjustments, including moving opposite hitter Eyal Zimet to libero, the back-row defensive specialist, and starting freshman Pedro Azenha at opposite.
Last Saturday, Zimet complained of nonspecific back pain compounded by spasms. Playing libero, Wilton said of Zimet, "would be a lot less stressful on his back."
Zimet, the team captain, is the team's best passer. "We want him in the lineup," Wilton said. "If he cannot be a full-time outside hitter, (playing libero) would be a good option. What we really want is a healthy Eyal for the last half of the year."
The Warriors face an imposing challenge in the 49ers, whose average outside hitter is 6 feet 6. UH's Azenha is 6 feet 5, but if Zimet remains at opposite, then 6-3 Costas Theocharidis is the Warriors' tallest corner hitter.
Last season, the 49ers often looked to the middle for points. This season, freshman Tyler Hildebrand tries to spread the offense, going to Scott Touzinsky on the left, Yassir Sliti on the right or Lee on quick sets. Two years ago, Sliti verbally committed to UH, but the offer eventually was rescinded when it appeared Sliti's interested waned.
