Posted on: Friday, May 9, 2003

Hawai'i to host 2004 MPSF volleyball tourney

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation is prepared to play its postseason men's volleyball tournament in Hawai'i next year.

"It's a good idea," UCLA coach Al Scates said. "Hawai'i fans are the most knowledgeable, and they provide a great atmosphere."

UH led the nation in attendance for the ninth consecutive year. All of its home matches are televised state-wide.

"Any red-blooded player is going to love playing in front of a big crowd and on live TV and being applauded after making a good play," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "Who wouldn't want that?"

According to a plan approved by the coaches, the current eight-team format will expand to include all 12 MPSF teams next year. After a play-in round, the quarterfinals, semifinals and title match would be played in UH's Stan Sheriff Center.

The coaches approved the plan, 10-2, at last week's meeting. The three-member executive committee will rule on the proposal June 14.

But Scates, considered the leader of the bloc of eight Southern California schools that influence MPSF policy, said, "the majority will vote for it."

In the current format, the top four seeds host the four opening-round matches, with the highest remaining seed hosting both the semifinals and championship match.

A proposal to move the tournament to Hawai'i was rejected two years ago. But after this year's tournament final drew less than 1,700 at Pepperdine and with the 2004 NCAA final four scheduled for Hawai'i, the MPSF coaches were willing to consider a change.

"We want to do it on a one-year trial basis," Scates said. "After that, we'll see how everybody likes it."

Proceeds of the tournament will subsidize travel and lodging costs. A portion of the gate receipts also will pay for other MPSF programs.

MPSF coaches appear to have resolved concerns about missed school time. The play-in matches would be on a Friday, with the Hawai'i portion of the tournament scheduled for the following Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

At the most, "a team will miss a week of school," Wilton said. "Hawai'i won't miss any days, now that I think of it."

Under the current format, Scates said, a low-seeded team spends one school day on campus between the opening round and semifinals.