Penn State tops UH in 5

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

It took nearly three hours and a snap-quick middle attack for Penn State to exhaust every Hawai'i comeback attempt and emerge with a 30-27, 36-38, 30-28, 27-30, 15-13 victory last night in the opening round of the Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational.

Hawai'i's Arri Jeschke, left, stuffs a kill attempt by Penn State's Dan O'Dell, in background, as Keith Kowal watches. Penn State won, 30-27, 36-38, 30-28, 27-30, 15-13. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I just missed it," said Thomas, who finished with a team-high 17 kills. "It happens."

As predicted by UH coach Mike Wilton before last night's season opener, the Warriors are indeed "a work in progress." With new starters at each of the seven positions, outside hitter Jose Delgado said, "We're going to need some time. We have to stay calm. We're going to get better. We have to be patient."

The Warriors started a freshman setter (Brian Beckwith), an All-America middle blocker at left-side hitter (Thomas) and a middle blocker (Mauli'a LaBarre) back from a 14-month church mission in Russia.

The Nittany Lions, also reloading after losing their top four hitters, took advantage of the Warriors' reconstructed block and erratic passing. Dan O'Dell repeatedly sent quick sets to middle hitters Keith Kowal (match-high 19 kills) and Nate Meerstein (14 kills).

"If we can pass," Penn State coach Mark Pavlik said, "we're going to be OK."

The Warriors had difficulty mastering the first part of the pass-set-slam formula. Worried about Thomas' inexperience as a full-time defensive player, the Warriors added a fourth passer when Thomas was in the back row.

But then Delgado, who was named UH's floor captain, struggled with his hitting accuracy and was lifted in Game 1. Because team captains Kimo Tuyay and Jake Muise did not suit up — UH limited the active roster to 12 players — Delgado's demotion for the rest of the first game and all of the second left the Warriors without a designated leader on the court.

"This was the first time I played in a year and a half," said Delgado, who redshirted in 2003 and missed the final month of fall camp because of a back injury. "I know that's not an excuse, but I was very anxious. I tried to do too much."

UH opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, who was expected to carry a large share of the offense, also struggled and was lifted.

"This can happen," Azenha said. "I just can't get upset about it. I have to keep playing."

Azenha's demotion opened the way for Matt Bender, who drilled 13 kills, made four digs and kept the Nittany Lions scrambling with tough serves.

"I've been practicing pretty good, but I honestly didn't think coach would put me in," Bender said. "Pedro has been playing great (in practice), that's why I feel so privileged to be here and get a chance. It's a dream come true. If I never play another game, I'll still be happy as a clam."

Joshua Stanhiser, who opened the 2003 season as a starting middle blocker before losing the job a month later, came up with his best performance. Stanhiser amassed 13 kills and assisted on nine blocks.

"I've been doing it for a year now, so I feel more comfortable," said Stanhiser, who was a reserve on the UH basketball team before joining the volleyball team in September 2002. "I'm kind of refining things."

Stanhiser and Beckwith collaborated on consecutive blocks to close out Game 4, forcing the first-to-15 fifth game.

There were nine ties before the Nittany Lions scored four in a row to take a 13-9 lead. But a service error, a Thomas solo block and Arri Jeschke's ace closed the Warriors to 13-12.

The teams traded points before Thomas' kill attempt went wide to end the match — at 3:30 a.m. Eastern time.

"It was a long match," LaBarre said. "You can tell we were trying to get settled. We're still in the adjustment period."

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

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