Warriors' lineup expected to change

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Match facts WHAT: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation volleyball. WHO: Hawai'i (2-2, 1-1 MPSF) vs. UC San Diego (3-2, 2-1). WHEN/WHERE: 7:05 tomorrow night in Stan Sheriff Center. TICKETS: $12 (lower bowl), $9 (upper bowl), $8 (senior citizens), $3 (UH students, ages 4-18, Super Rooter). TELEVISION: Live on K5 (channel 5). RADIO: Live on KKEA (1420 AM).

Opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, who did not play in the previous two matches because of a badly sprained left ankle, has competed in the past four practices.

UH coach Mike Wilton has indicated Azenha will start, although Azenha acknowledged: "I know I'm not 100 percent, and everybody else is 100 percent. I can play. It's up to the coach if he wants me to play."

Azenha's return displaces Matt Bender, a third-year sophomore who led the Warriors with 25 kills in their last match, a five-game loss to UC Santa Barbara.

"That's fine," Bender said of his pending demotion. "Pedro is one of the best players in the country, an All-American-type player. I don't feel bad at all to be stuck behind somebody like that."

Because Bender is not ready to move to the left side, an area that requires greater passing skills, his playing options are limited. The opposite hitter, who usually is positioned on the right side, is rarely needed to receive serves.

"I know I'm not the best passer," Bender said. "In high school, I never passed. I never practiced passing. Now that I'm practicing it more, I'm getting a little better at it."

Part of the problem is Bender cannot straighten his right arm because of calcium deposits in his right elbow. That creates a crooked platform when he extends both arms to pass.

"If (both arms are) straight, it's much easier to pass," Bender said.

Wilton said: "Should we have it re-broken and set again? His arm is kind of crooked."

Meanwhile, middle blocker Dionisio Dante, a second-year freshman from Maui, has supplanted Maulia LaBarre on the first team. But Wilton said the depth chart could change again before tomorrow's match.

"I feel confident in myself," said Dante, who received few repetitions while redshirting last year. "I'm working the little glitches out. It's really fun practicing. That's why I'm making gains this year. I'm actually practicing with all of these good players and it's making me a better player."

Dante said he is adjusting to the college game's quicker sets.

"I never really had to do that in Maui," he said. "But I'm trying. I'm just working really hard. I'm really competitive. That's the way I play."

Wilton said co-captain Kimo Tuyay might be added to the 12-player active roster. Tuyay has not played in UH's first four matches because of a sprained left ankle and sore left knee.

"My setting is fine," Tuyay said. "I needed to work on my blocking while getting my ankle ready. Other than that, I wasn't worried."

Wilton said freshman Brian Beckwith will open at setter. UH suits up two setters each match.

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