Warrior volleyball opens MPSF season

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team's first day in Santa Barbara, Calif., could have been captured on a postcard.

The skies were clear, the mercury in the mid-70s. Dinner was at the restaurant owned by the parents of outside hitter Arri Jeschke. The menu included Indian dishes and "nouveau Hawai'i food," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "The food was good. It was a great day."

What else could be expected from a town in the shadows of Neverland?

"We never got to see Michael Jackson's home," Wilton mused. "That wasn't on the agenda. We have more important things on our mind."

The Warriors open Mountain Pacific Sports Federation competition with road matches against UC Santa Barbara today and tomorrow in 1,200-seat Robertson Gym.

With the demise of a proposal to move the league's postseason tournament to Hawai'i, the previous format will be used, meaning the Warriors will need to finish at least eighth in the 12-team MPSF to qualify for the playoffs. A top-four finish guarantees a host's berth in the opening round.

While Wilton said his "vision is on March and April," the early-season matches still carry significant weight, particularly for a team with new starters at each of the seven positions. What's more, the Warriors will be without opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, who remained in Hawai'i because of a severely sprained left ankle.

Matt Bender, who is four inches shorter than 6-foot-7 Azenha, will start at opposite — the right-side position that blocks an opponent's best offensive player in half the rotations. Wilton said there might be opportunities to shift Bender to the left on specific defensive situations.

But Wilton said, "Matt Bender is a good player. I think he'll do a good job."

This will mark the first career start for Bender, a third-year sophomore from Arizona.

"I'm so excited," he said. "When I came (to UH), my only goal was to play at this level. Then I wanted to make the (12-player) travel team. Then I wanted to get some playing time. Then I wanted to start. This has been a dream come true."

Bender acknowledged he is "the shortest opposite in the league. But I can jump OK. I'll be able to hold my own."

Wilton said Jose Delgado, who plays the second left-side position, will start, despite struggling during last week's Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational. Wilton said Delgado has had three impressive practices in a row.

"I feel good again," said Delgado, who redshirted as a sophomore in 2003 and missed most of fall training camp because of a back injury. "I need to play well. This is a big trip for us."

The Gauchos, according to coach Ken Preston, "weren't very good last year."

But setter Dane Jensen played well in last week's Elephant Bar tournament, and 6-foot-8, 245-pound opposite hitter Evan Patek has emerged as an offensive threat.

"He's just a big guy," Preston said of Patek, who redshirted last season to focus on academics.

Patek started for the United States in last summer's World University Games.

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

The rest of the MPSF

Brigham Young Cougars

At a glance: The second-ranked Cougars' depth has been helpful in overcoming injuries to starting middle blockers Michael Burke (torn pectoral muscle), who might miss the entire season, and Chris Gorny (shoulder). Four are battling for the two middle positions. Opposite hitter Joe Hillman's development allowed Jonathan "Johnny Utah" Alleman to move to the left side. Fernando Pessoa, the starting libero last season, is starting at the second outside position. The offense is entrusted to setter Carlos Moreno, son of Antonio Moreno, Brazil's captain on four Olympic teams.

Fun fact: Middle blocker David Hyte began playing volleyball in high school to avoid taking a P.E. class.

UC Irvine Anteaters

At a glance: Old and new worlds are colliding for the No. 10 Anteaters. Four freshmen started games in the Elephant Bar tournament, joining returning starting outside hitters Jimmy Pelzel (who set the school's single-season record with 593 kills last year) and Spencer Bemus, middle blocker Kyle Weichert and libero Greg Ford. If freshman opposite hitter Matt Webber continues to develop, Pelzel, an All-American, might move to the left side. "We have experience, but we're clearly in the middle of a youth movement, too," coach John Speraw said.

Fun fact: Middle blocker Justin Aida, who lists his hometown as Kobe, Japan, is a graduate of the International School in Manila.

Long Beach State 49ers

At a glance: Setter Tyler Hildebrand was good enough to be named the MPSF's Freshman of the Year and prompt backup Beau Peters to transfer to UCLA, where he is a starter. "He's just a very talented athlete," coach Alan Knipe said of Hildebrand. So, too, is opposite hitter Scott Touzinsky, a fourth-year starter who made an easy move to the right side last season. Touzinsky has been named team captain. "He's been out there for a long time, and he has a really calming effect on the team," Knipe said.

Fun fact: Middle blocker Yassir Sliti, who was raised in London, originally signed a letter of intent with UH in 2001.

Cal State Northridge Matadors

At a glance: Jeff Taylor, who redshirted last season after transferring from Orange Coast Community College, is poised to replace outside hitter Joe Nargi, who has completed his eligibility. Taylor is a powerful server and hitter; in last week's Elephant Bar tournament, Taylor successfully hit over triple blocks. "He jumps very well," coach Jeff Campbell said. Ty Tramblie, one of two fifth-year setters, is expected to start.

Fun fact: Starting opposite hitter Dan Rhodes' cousin is Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry.

Pacific Tigers

At a glance: Coach Joe Wortmann said he prefers the unique approach of "mixing and matching players." That means 6-6 Nils Dauburs could play middle, opposite or outside. Brian Zodrow, a Saint Louis School graduate, also will flip-flop sides. Mauricio Brizuela might be the best outside passer. For now, 6-4 Mitch Hazelett gets the nod at setter over Brian Edwards.

Fun fact: Actress Jamie Lee Curtis ("Freaky Friday") was a pre-law major at UOP.

Pepperdine Waves

At a glance: Yes, even the rich and famous have complaints. Although the Waves return outside hitters Fred Winters and Sean Rooney and add kill-machine Tanner Sutherland, coach Marv Dunphy is lamenting the departure of four-time All-America middle blocker Brad Keenan. "We miss him, and we miss him every day," Dunphy said. "He was a good blocker, a good server and he had a good arm." Andy Hein will fill one middle spot; the other will go to 17-year-old John Parfitt or 18-year-old Tom Hulse.

Fun fact: Dunphy is a faculty member of Pepperdine's natural science department.

UC San Diego Tritons

At a glance: Opposite hitter Jim Waller, who was fifth nationally with 4.84 kills per game last season, is the leader of a team whose tallest player is 6 feet 6.

Fun fact: UCSD is the only team in the MPSF that does not offer men's volleyball scholarships.

Southern California Trojans

At a glance: Two years ago, Turhan Douglas inherited a team that recruited almost exclusively within the United States. Douglas vowed to expand USC's reach, bringing in players from Brazil and Puerto Rico. "The most important thing for me was basically clearing house, getting the guys in there who will help us win a championship," Douglas said. "I've taken the philosophy of recruiting the best players, not only in the United States but in the world." One of the Brazilians, Pedro Leal, will start at outside hitter. Second-year freshman Gio Altamura, at 6 feet, will become the smallest starting setter in the MPSF. But Douglas said Altamura is athletic.

Fun fact: Leal, an avid sailor, placed 24th out of 480 competitors in Brazil's 1994 national championships for laser boats.

Stanford Cardinal

At a glance: With 12 players, Stanford has the league's smallest roster. The high tuition and higher standards hinder recruiting. For the first time since 1999, Stanford won't be able to turn to All-America outside hitter Curt Toppel. David Vogel, a libero last season, will start at one of the outside positions. Several opposing coaches support coach Don Shaw's contention that Kevin Hansen is the league's best setter. Stanford has received commitments from three recruits for next season.

Fun fact: Freshmen Eric Jones, Brian Lindberg and Josh Schwarzapel had GPAs of 4.0 in high school and each scored at least 1,380 on the SAT.

UCLA Bruins

At a glance: The 18-time national champions are rebounding from their worst season under Al Scates, when they failed to qualify for the postseason last year. The Bruins don't seem to miss outside hitter Jonathan Acosta, who is recovering from appendicitis. They hit .406 during the Elephant Bar tournament — thanks to setter Beau Peters, a transfer from Long Beach State, and opposite hitter Steve Klosterman, who is averaging 5.5 kills per game. Chris Kraushaar will start at one spot on the left side and J.T. Wenger or Damien Scott will start at the other. Middle hitters Paul Johnson and Allan Vince, a converted opposite hitter, have played well enough that former starter Chris Pena is being used sparingly.

Fun fact: Scott was a member of the UCLA football team last season.