Delgado a leader in any language
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Jose Jose Delgado "makes us calm when we need to relax," says teammate Brian Beckwith, and "when we need an emotional lift, he gives us that," says coach Mike Wilton.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
After many of his University of Hawai'i men's volleyball teammates left the Stan Sheriff Center court following a taxing two-hour practice, outside hitter Jose Jose Delgado worked on his jump serves.
He then turned to Rainbow Wahine setter Kanoe Kamana'o, who had entered the arena after completing her weight training, and offered to show off his "saucy" serve.
"Saucy?" she said.
"Saucy ... an attitude."
"That's 'sassy!' "
Later, laughing at the exchange, Delgado, who was raised in Puerto Rico, said, "sometimes I mumble when I speak in English."
One thing, it seems, is never misunderstood: Delgado, a third-year sophomore, has emerged as the leader of the top-ranked Warriors.
In assuming the unheralded role as primary passer — allowing opposite hitter Pedro Azenha and left-side hitter Delano Thomas to rack up the kills — Delgado serves as the Warriors' emotional stabilizer.
"He makes us calm when we need to relax," setter Brian Beckwith said.
And "when we need an emotional lift," UH coach Mike Wilton said, "he gives us that."
Wilton named Delgado as the Warriors' floor captain, a job that empowers him to debate calls with the referees and signal plays.
"I'm glad he gave me that position," Delgado said. "I'm glad he trusts me. I want to be a leader."
• Height: 6-3 • Position: Outside hitter • Class: Sophomore • Hometown: Catalina, Puerto Rico • Personal: Redshirted in 2003 ... Former member of the Puerto Rican Junior Team ... 2001 graduate of Colegro Colasonz, in Puerto Rico ... Led Colegro Colasonz to four league titles.
MPSF volleyball: • WHAT: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation volleyball • WHO: No. 1 Hawai'i (10-2, 7-1 MPSF) vs. No. 2 UCLA (12-2, 5-1) • WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday at Stan Sheriff Center • TICKETS: $14 (lower bowl), $11 (upper bowl), $9 (senior citizens/upper bowl), $3 (Super Rooter/lower bowl; UH students, ages 4-18). Sold at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, by telephone (944-BOWS) or at: http://etickethawaii.com • TELEVISION: K5 (channel 5) • RADIO: KKEA (1420 AM)
It has been an unexpected ascent for Delgado, who preferred to play basketball as a youth in his hometown of Catalina, a 5-minute drive from San Juan.
Jose Jose Delgado
In 1997, Dennis Gonzalez, now UCLA's starting setter, spotted the 14-year-old Delgado playing basketball and invited him to try out for the area volleyball club. Gonzalez was impressed with Delgado's athletic ability and agility.
"Why not?" Delgado said in accepting the offer.
Delgado developed into the club's best outside hitter. In high school, he led Colegro Colasonz to four league championships. He also played on the Puerto Rico Junior Team.
In January 2001, he went on a recruiting trip to UH. The tour included the Warriors' match against UCLA. After the match, Delgado recalled thinking, "I belong here."
Delgado made the easy transition to NCAA volleyball. As a freshman in 2002, he was a part-time starter on the Warriors' national championship team. He volunteered to redshirt last season because of the logjam at outside hitter.
During fall training camp, opposite hitter Matt Bender, also a third-year sophomore, noted Delgado displayed leadership qualities.
"That's his personality," Bender said. "He's got the leader genes."
The transformation began when Delgado learned to control his temper. A recovering hot head, Delgado has gone two years without an outburst.
"I used to have a crazy temper," he said. "If something went wrong, I would get crazy. I learned from (former UH outside hitter) Eyal Zimet. He told me, 'Don't let your emotions be a negative.' Now I try to stay calm."
Delgado has made a greater adjustment in his studies. Students in Delgado's high school were required to take English language classes, but he admitted to being "terrible, terrible."
As a UH freshman, "I freaked out" when approached by reporters. "When people wanted to interview me, I used to go, 'Oh, no, I don't know what to say.' "
But Delgado recalled pledging to master English.
He asked tutors and teammates for help, especially in studying for a difficult geology class.
"I don't mind asking questions about every single word. 'What does this mean?' 'What does that mean?' I like to get feedback."
He forced himself to think in English.
"It took a while," he said. "It was frustrating, but it's like learning to walk. You can slip, but you have to be patient. If you work hard, it will pay off."
The proof is in the report card. Delgado, who has applied for UH's business school, has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.1.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
