Freshman back, but will not make trip

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Outside hitter Pedro Azenha yesterday practiced for the first time since his reinstatement to the University of Hawai'i volleyball team last week.

"I wasn't gone very long, but I missed it, anyway," Azenha said.

Citing homesickness, Azenha, a freshman from Brazil, left the team Feb. 28. But four days later, admitting to making a mistake, Azenha asked to be reinstated. After consulting with Azenha's teammates, UH coach Mike Wilton approved the request.

Yesterday, Azenha worked with the second team. Of the break from training, he said, "I don't think it will be a problem."

Azenha, who has started two matches, is not included on the 12-player travel roster for matches against UCLA on Friday and Saturday. After those matches, Wilton said, Azenha will compete for a spot on the active roster. According to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rules, teams are allowed to suit up a maximum 12 players in league matches.

UH outside hitter Costas Theocharidis said Azenha will help the team, even as a backup. Azenha can play every position except setter and libero.

"We need his experience and skill in practice to make us better," Theocharidis said.

Team captain Eyal Zimet, who helped convince Azenha to return, led the homecoming ceremony yesterday.

"I'm very happy he's back," Zimet said. "His decision (to leave) probably was a little hasty. I don't really think he meant what he said. He's an asset to the team. And next year, this will be his team. He's going to be one of the main players next year."

For now, the Warriors are focusing on remaining as one of the MPSF's top four teams, a position that will secure a host role for the first round of the league's postseason tournament. The Warriors, at 7-5, are in fourth place, five games behind Pepperdine (13-1).

"Maybe Pepperdine has gone too far," Theocharidis said. "We'll try to get the second or third seed."

Six of UH's final 10 regular-season matches are at home, and its final six matches are against three teams with a combined 6-38 MPSF record. The Warriors believe finishing at least second during the regular season and in the MPSF Tournament will be good enough to earn the at-large berth in the NCAA final four.