The strobe-light effect, coupled with coach Mike Wilton's stern talks, served as a warning signal for the sixth-ranked Warriors.

"These are big matches coming up," Wilton said of the meetings against UC Irvine tonight and tomorrow night. "We're in a must-win situation. It's good to play with that kind of urgency."

With four regular-season matches remaining, the Warriors are battling for a home berth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament. Eight teams qualify for the playoffs, with the top four hosting first-round matches. The highest remaining seed hosts the semifinals and championship match.

UH and Pepperdine are tied for fifth with 11-7 MPSF records. Cal State Northridge is fourth at 12-7, following last night's three-game loss to No. 2 Long Beach State. By winning the season series, Northridge has the tie-breaking advantage over UH.

"We need to string together some good playing," Wilton said. "I never doubt our effort."

After a week of open competition, Wilton yesterday settled on this lineup: setter Kimo Tuyay; middle blockers Joshua Stanhiser and Dionisio Dante; opposite hitter Matt Bender; left-side hitter Delano Thomas; outside hitter/passer Ryan Woodward, and libero Alfred Reft.

Despite a broken pinkie on his right (hitting) hand, Dante outplayed Mauli'a LaBarre, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, and will make his second career start. For protection, a thin pad is wrapped around the right pinkie, then the pinkie and right ring finger are taped together.

Dante, a second-year freshman from Maui, said there is a moderate adjustment because he usually hits with his thumb, index finger, middle finger and palm. On blocks, Dante said, "it hurts, believe me, but it's nothing I can't bear. When it hurts really bad it's, 'Oh, man,' but it's only for a little while and then it goes back to a dull pain."

Dante vowed to play. "I didn't go this far and work this hard to quit over a pinkie."

Pedro Azenha played well in practice, pushing Bender and Thomas for a starting job. In the end, Azenha's versatility was his undoing. While Azenha can play at opposite or on the left side, Bender and Thomas are one-position players.

"Pedro had a better week, but his abilities are such he can come in and really help us at two positions," Wilton said.

Bender said: "I've been mediocre. I've had some pretty bad practices. I've been a little tired, but I'm not worried about it."

Woodward fought off a challenge from JosŽ JosŽ Delgado for the role of second passer. Delgado, who is a powerful server, was included on the 12-player active roster. Arri Jeschke, one of five seniors, will not suit up.

"These decisions aren't easy," Wilton said. "Changes are dictated by circumstances and by who's doing what. If a guy does better than another guy all week in practice, do you just stand pat? I don't think that rewards hard work and performance."

The Anteaters, battling Stanford for the final playoff spot, have experienced growing pains in John Speraw's second season as head coach. Three freshmen will start.

The one constant is 6-foot-6 outside hitter Jimmy Pelzel, who has taken 1,039 swings this season, 338 more than UH's most prolific hitter. "That's a lot of volleyballs to hit," Wilton said.

Bender said: "Jimmy Pelzel is easily one of the best hitters in the country."

Pelzel, who averages 4.81 kills and 5.42 points per game, can blast away from all areas of the court. Although he usually hits in the direction his body is facing, his shots are difficult to block. Opponents often try to jump-serve to him, limiting his offensive opportunities when he is in back-row rotations.

"He's an All-American and a team captain, but he's had a lot on his shoulders and he felt a lot of responsibility this year," Speraw said.