LaBarre not likely to play tomorrow
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i volleyball player Mauli'a LaBarre yesterday failed to complete a practice session for the second consecutive day, all but ensuring he will not start in tomorrow night's match against second-ranked Long Beach State in the Stan Sheriff Center.
"Most likely I won't be playing," said LaBarre, a sophomore middle blocker from Roosevelt High who is suffering from a sprained left ankle.
UH assistant coach Tino Reyes said: "It's better for him to sit out for a while instead of coming out and then getting hurt again. It won't get better that way."
Reyes said the Warriors are prepared to start Dionisio Dante at one of the middle positions.
Opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, who lost his starting job after being suspended for two matches for violating a team rule, will be the top backup to Dante and middle blocker Joshua Stanhiser.
UH coach Mike Wilton said LaBarre suffered the ankle injury during a hitting drill last week. He aggravated it twice after that — when he tripped during warmups last Friday night and when he was inadvertently kicked during Tuesday's practice.
LaBarre, who wore a calf-high air-cushioned brace yesterday, appeared to be comfortable during stretching drills. But midway through the 105-minute practice, he complained of throbbing pain on the left side and back of his left ankle. He spent the rest of the practice sitting on the scorer's table.
"It was just sore all over," LaBarre said. "It feels fine during the day, but when I play, it starts to hurt. Sometimes when I'm just standing, it's throbbing. When I move sometimes, there's a sharp pain."
LaBarre said X-rays taken Monday showed the possible start of a stress fracture of his left fibula. He said he probably will undergo another medical examination today.
Dante, a second-year freshman from Maui, is prepared to make his first regular-season start. He started against George Mason in two exhibitions in November.
Dante, who also was reinstated last week after a two-match suspension, has developed into an effective blocker. He can touch 11 feet, 3 inches off a standing jump.
"I'm really trying to learn to read the (opposing) setters," Dante said.
He also is adjusting to hitting the quick sets from Kimo Tuyay.
"He has to learn to maybe swing a little quicker," Tuyay said. "But that's easily correctable."
Opposite hitter Matt Bender said Dante, as a second-string player, benefits from going against the starters in practice every day.
"The only difference he'll face is playing in front of a bigger crowd," Bender said. "You can shut that out once you get used to it. It's just like practice, and Dio is a very good practice player. I'm confident in Dio. Dio's a great player. I think once he gets into the flow, he'll play really well."
Speed camp: The Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinic, coordinated by volleyball strength coach Mel deLaura, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at UH.
The sessions for ages 7 to 12 are 10 a.m. to noon at Gym I. For those 13 and older, sessions are from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cooke Field.
Call 671-3812 for details.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
