Warriors' Zimet cool under fire

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

After each practice or match, the University of Hawai'i volleyball team's most cool-headed player — opposite hitter Eyal Zimet — begins to chill.

That is when UH athletic trainer Michelle Landis tapes four bags of crushed ice to Zimet's back, knees and shins. By the end of the regular season, Zimet will have gone through roughly 300 pounds of crushed ice.

The ice packs are needed to treat a variety of ailments, most notably lower-back pain compounded by spasms. Zimet rarely says bo-peep.

"He's great to work with," Landis said. "He never complains."

"Pain," Zimet said, "does not matter. I feel good enough to play."

But when the topic turns to the Middle East tensions and the effects on his family living in an Israeli settlement in Western Galilee, that is when UH's "Mr. Cool" begins to melt.

"I'm concerned," said Zimet, who keeps in weekly contact with his parents.

Although he said the area where his parents live "is usually relatively safe," by Middle East standards, he conceded, "yes, it is bothering me."

But Zimet said he will not allow his concerns to interfere with his commitment to volleyball. He said his on-court focus comes from "a combination of everything — things I've gone through."

He has served in the Israeli Army, and competed with Israel's national volleyball team. At 26, he is admittedly the Warriors' "giant ... or dinosaur. Take your pick. ... Right now, there are not a lot of things that are going to faze me" in volleyball.

UH coach Mike Wilton said: "It's a tough situation, it has to be. But I think volleyball represents a good release for him."

Outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, who is Zimet's best friend on the team, said: "He's really focused on his game. Off the court, of course, he's very worried about his parents. But I don't think those things affect his game. He plays every game like it's the last game, and that really releases stress."

Wilton said Zimet's focused demeanor led to his unanimous selection — OK, Wilton was the only voter — as team captain. It also helped that Zimet, according to Theocharidis, "has many skills. Even if he struggles with his hitting, we still need him for his passing ability, his blocking ability, his serving ability, and his leadership. He's an old guy, but he's experienced."

Zimet, who was injured during the first half of a recent four-match road trip, led the Warriors to consecutive victories over Long Beach State. Coupled with Cal State Northridge's upset of UC Irvine, the Warriors regained the top spot in the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Top-15 Poll, which was released yesterday.

UH, which plays host to Northridge tomorrow and Friday, was No. 1 for the first two polls before ceding the top spot to Irvine for the past two weeks. "We've been there before (at No. 1), and it's nice," Wilton said.

Wilton said several teams could have earned the honor. "With a large amount of talent and so few schools (41) to go to, every volleyball team is good," Wilton said. "What would Division I basketball be like if there were 50 teams? It would be tough sledding."

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