Warriors reach new heights

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Alfred Reft, Hawai'i's 5-foot-10 libero, is dwarfed by his fellow starters, from left, Jose Delgado, Brian Beckwith, Pedro Azenha, Joshua Stanhiser, Mauli'a LaBarre and Delano Thomas. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The eve of tonight's regular-season opener meant the staging of the annual musical performance by the Warriors' first-year players. Beckwith was scheduled to dance to a song by libero Alfred "Alfie" Reft.

"I like to shake my groove thing," Beckwith said. "That's my thing."

The song and dance completed, the Warriors are ready for the business of volleyball. They play Penn State in the opening round of the three-night Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"We want to go out there and show everybody what we've got," Beckwith said.

The Warriors have new starters at each of the seven positions. The startling makeover begins with Beckwith, who supplants three-year starter Kimo Tuyay at setter. Tuyay, a senior who is recovering from a sprained left ankle and sore left knee, is not expected to suit up tonight.

At 6 feet 6, Beckwith is the tallest setter in UH history — and the symbol of the team's super-sizing. The return of 6-foot-8 Mauli'a LaBarre from a 14-month church mission and 6-7 Delano Thomas' move from the middle to left-side hitter increased the average height of the starting hitter to 6 feet 7.

In one rotation, the front row measures 6-7, 6-8, 6-7; in another, it is 6-7, 6-10, 6-6.

Two years ago, 6-foot-3 Jose Delgado was the Warriors' tallest outside hitter. Now Delgado comes up to the chinny-chin-chin of Thomas and 6-foot-7 opposite hitter Pedro Azenha.

"A lot of things can change," Penn State coach Mark Pavlik said, "but over the length of a season, tall guys are still tall. That arm length is a great forgiving factor. I think (UH coach Mike Wilton is) going to have a real fun season this year."

In volleyball, Wilton noted, size doesn't always matter. During the 2002 championship season, the Warriors' outside hitters measured 6-3, 6-2 and 6-2.

"We don't recruit height, per se," Wilton said. "We want guys who are quick and athletic. Hopefully, we're a little bigger and athletic."

But the improved height has been helpful at setter, where Beckwith has been able to field errant passes, score off dump shots and accelerate the offense with quick sets to the taller outside hitters.

"Obviously, height is an advantage in a sport like this," Beckwith said. "Hopefully, it'll help us in our battles up at the net."

While training can improve different skills, Beckwith said, "You can't teach height."

LaBarre added: "I always thought having a bigger team meant having a better team. With our team, as big as we are, we have guys who can play. ... I think it adds to the confidence of a team to know it has big guys."

Still, Wilton said, the Warriors are "a work in progress." Thomas, who no longer is substituted for a libero on back-row rotations, is adjusting to his expanded role as a full-time defender. Delgado redshirted last season and missed the final month of fall training camp because of a back injury. The Warriors were not fully tested in four exhibition matches against undermanned George Mason in November and the alumni match last Friday.

"I think we have some good possibilities, but every team in the country is saying the same thing," Wilton said. "It's early, but we can get a lot better. It's going to take a maintenance of a good attitude. We've certainly had that. We have to continue rising to the challenge."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.