Warrior revival traced to meeting

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	WHAT: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation volleyball WHO: Hawai'i (15-5, 9-5 MPSF) vs. Pacific (13-8, 8-5) WHEN: 7 tonight WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center TICKETS: $12 (lower bowl), $9 (upper level), $8 (senior citizens), $6 (UH students, ages 4-18) TV: K5

"It almost seemed as if we were just surviving," Wilton recalled telling the players during the 90-minute meeting.

In response, the players vowed to play with more energy, while asking for more input in decisions.

With a new lineup featuring middle blocker Brian Nordberg and libero Jake Muise, the Warriors beat Brigham Young in four games to start a streak of six victories in seven matches.

Entering tonight's match against Pacific, the Warriors are in third place in the 12-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The top eight teams advance to the MPSF Tournament, with the top four hosting first-round matches.

"Feb. 21," Wilton said, "was our turnover day. That was the day we made a commitment to compete our hardest in matches and practices."

Nordberg said: "You can't minimize our success or our records to the lineup. There might be something to be said about team congruency."

But, it seems, the lineup change did have an impact on the chemistry. The displaced starters — middle blocker Joshua Stanhiser, opposite hitter Pedro Azenha and Matt Motter — are first-year Warriors learning on the fly. The new lineup comprises four seniors, two juniors and a sophomore.

Wilton also recalled telling the players: "On a rating of 1 to 10, our ability could go from a 4 to, perhaps, a 10. That's something that just is. But you can control your effort. You can give a 10 effort every day. If you do that, it will have a positive effect on the ability scale."

Wilton said Nordberg's blocking skills are superior to Stanhiser's, and Muise has developed into an accurate passer.

"When we made the lineup changes, the immediate success we had, it was, 'Eureka!'" Wilton recalled. "I think we have a whole team full of guys who are stepping up."

Wilton has made additional adjustments, such as moving Costas Theocharidis to opposite hitter. Often teamed in the same row with Theocharidis, outside hitter Tony Ching is facing more single blocks. Ching hit better than .600 in each of the last two matches.

"We're getting so much better," said Theocharidis, who remains as the Warriors' go-to hitter.

Nordberg said: "I think the meeting was some type of turning point to the season. With how vocal everyone was at the meeting, we all figured out what everybody else was thinking and what was important to the team."

TONIGHT'S STARTING LINEUPS

PACIFIC TIGERS

Head coach: Joe Wortmann

Notes: Tamas is regarded as one of the nation's best setters. "Passers love him because he can set the ball at 11 1/2 feet," Wortmann said. "There's a lot more room for them to pass the ball." Tamas is third on the team with 52 blocks, including 10 solo rejections. ... The Tigers did not practice or play last week because of spring break.

HAWAI'I WARRIORS

Head coach: Mike Wilton

Notes: Outside hitter Pedro Azenha, who did not suit up last week, has been added to tonight's 12-player active roster. Azenha replaces libero/outside hitter Matt Motter. ... Muise practiced this week despite suffering from flu-like symptoms. On Tuesday, he had a 102-degree fever. ... Backup middle blocker Shaun Frederick suffered a shoulder injury while weight lifting Wednesday.