UH volleyball sweeps

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

UH's Costas Theocharidis acknowledges the crowd after his 2,000th career kill last night against Loyola-Chicago. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The second-ranked Warriors (13-5) did not lose a game during this two-match series, constructing a winning margin of 6.8 points per game. But the night belonged to Theocharidis, a 6-foot-3 opposite hitter from Greece.

"He's like the Michael Jordan of your volleyball dreams," UH serving specialist Matt Bender said. "He's the most amazing player I've ever seen. Just to be able to play with someone like that, that's something I can tell my grandkids. I'll always remember this night, and I'll always remember playing with Costas."

Theocharidis entered needing 10 kills to become the first UH player to amass 2,000 career kills. He achieved the milestone in the second game, with his 17th swing, a rocket that ricocheted off a double block and out of bounds.

As the crowd of 3,838 rose for an ovation, Theocharidis reciprocated by pointing his right index finger.

"It's an incredible feeling," he said. "What can I tell you? I wish other people were in my shoes."

Theocharidis is believed to be the 11th male volleyball player to join the NCAA's 2,000-kill club, although the membership total is difficult to verify. The American Volleyball Coaches Association kept a record book through 1998, but stopped updating it when it was determined that there were incomplete entries. An AVCA spokesman said not all of the NCAA Division I-II teams submitted results to the AVCA.

Theocharidis finished with a match-high 17 kills, in 31 swings, before leaving to another rousing ovation late in Game 3. After the match, he was presented with his milestone-making ball. UH officials said the ball will be inscribed later.

"I'll tell you, one more championship ring is more important to me than any of these individual awards," Theocharidis said. "I'm just a college student. I couldn't have done any of this without my teammates."

He also thanked setter Kimo Tuyay, who deflected the praise.

"He doesn't owe me anything," Tuyay said. "Whenever I set the ball, he finds a way to get a kill. He's found 2,000 ways to get a kill. He's a great player to have on your team. Right now, he has to be the best player in the nation."

Early in the match, Tuyay turned to Eyal Zimet, who accounted for three of the Warriors' first five points. The strategy spread the Ramblers' defense, opening the way for outside hitter Tony Ching (14 kills, .524 hitting percentage), middle blocker Delano Thomas (nine kills, no errors) and then Theocharidis.

"Like a machine, every part does its little job," Zimet said. "Costas, right now, is responsible for hitting. We count on him to bring the heat."

Tuyay added: "He's your go-to guy no matter what. Even if there are three guys up (for the block), he'll find a way."

Theocharidis was admittedly over-enthusiastic, and one of his serves struck UH strength coach Mel deLaura, who was sitting in the third row of the end-zone risers.

"That was a great serve," Ching marveled. "That thing had some power behind it."

After Theocharidis slammed his ninth kill, teammates raised their right index fingers, indicating the milestone was a kill away.

"Sometimes I knew the count, sometimes I didn't," Theocharidis. "On the last one, I knew."

UH coach Mike Wilton said the 2,007 kills are significant because Theocharidis has played three seasons under the rally-scoring system implemented in 2001. Wilton said it is more difficult to amass kills now than in the old side-out system.

"He's a mighty good player," Wilton said. "I don't like to rank them, but I will say he's been a very special player for us. No question about that."

Wilton said he learned of Theocharidis through former Punahou School standout Mike Lambert, who was playing professionally in Europe. Lambert sent Wilton a grainy film in which it was difficult to initially identify Theocharidis.

"After a while," Wilton has said, "we knew."

UH was the only NCAA school to recruit Theocharidis.

"Coming here was the best decision of my life," said Theocharidis, who will earn a degree in finance in December. "I've had four memorable years."

The Warriors will take two days off and begin practicing Monday. They leave Wednesday for a two-match series against UCLA Friday and next Saturday in Los Angeles.