Warriors finish regular season with sweep
Advertiser Staff
Saving its best for last, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team closed the regular season with a decisive 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 victory over Pepperdine last night in Malibu, Calif.
In the process, senior Kimo Tuyay became the Warriors' career leader in assists, and Mike Wilton, in his 12th season as UH head coach, finally defeated the Waves in Firestone Fieldhouse. The Warriors' last victory over Pepperdine in Malibu was in 1989, a span of nine losses.
"It was a good night," Wilton said.
Thursday night's four-game loss to the Waves ensured that the Warriors would finish sixth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and play at UCLA in the opening-round of the playoffs next Saturday. The goal of last night's match, Wilton said, was to "build momentum for the playoffs."
Yesterday morning, the Warriors spent an hour studying videotape of Thursday's match, in which the Waves produced 21 blocks and induced UH to pass erratically when outside hitters Sean Rooney and Fred Winters were serving. At noon, half of the team went to setter Brian Beckwith's house in Pacific Palisades, the rest went to the mall.
"It was good to get out of the hotel and do something," Wilton said. "We had a relaxing time."
The R&R apparently helped KO the Waves. UH outside hitter Pedro Azenha and opposite hitter Matt Bender conquered the Waves' block with high hits. "They extended their arms more and hit higher," Wilton said. "That's always a good thing to do, especially against a good, big blocking team like Pepperdine."
Libero Alfred Reft and Azenha, who doubled as a primary passer, were steady in receiving the Waves' jump serves.
"We passed good enough to stay in our offense," Wilton said. "We sided out really well. That was the issue. Tonight, we prevented Pepperdine from going on any long runs."
Three times in the past four weeks, the Warriors lost matches after winning the first two games. Those implosions occurred at the Stan Sheriff Center, the only venue where the break between Games 2 and 3 is 10 minutes instead of the usual three to accommodate UH's marketing department. Not having the momentum-busting longer break "might have helped us," Wilton said.
Wilton also said his players might have "realized this is best-out-of-five and not best-out-of-three. We've been stringing together some pretty good Games 1 and 2 lately. It was nice to show some resolve in Game 3."
The Warriors amassed nine aces, including three by left-side hitter Delano Thomas, while committing eight service errors. The Waves had two aces and 11 missed serves.
Thomas had 14 kills and Azenha added six blocks and five digs.
The Warriors return to Honolulu today. The team banquet is tomorrow. Practice resumes Monday.
