San Diego setting new standard

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	UC San Diego at Hawai'i WHAT: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match WHEN: Today, 7 p.m. WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center ADMISSION: $12 adults (singles only, lower level); $9 adults (upper); $8 ages 65-older (upper); $3 UH students and children ages 4 to 18 (upper); $3 Super Rooter. PARKING: $3

A program that entered this season with a 7-206 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation record has found a turn in misfortune. This year, the Tritons — previously known as the Try Agains — are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the 12-team MPSF. The Tritons won at Southern California and upset Stanford last week. They have never won more than two MPSF matches in the same season.

The Tritons, who play Hawai'i in matches tonight and Friday night, yesterday broke into the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association's top-15 poll. They are No. 15; UH is No. 4.

"We've got seniors on the floor, and when you have seniors on the floor, you're usually better," said UCSD coach Ron Larsen, referring to the four seniors on the 19-player roster.

But as the only Division II team competing in volleyball's best league, UCSD is at a disadvantage. An NCAA Division I men's volleyball team may spread the financial equivalent of 4.5 scholarships among its players. The Tritons do not offer financial scholarships in men's volleyball.

At 6 feet 6, setter Nate Jones is the Tritons' tallest starter. UH's average starting hitter is 6-7.

Larsen said the Tritons benefitted from not scheduling any exhibition matches during fall training camp. Teams are allowed up to four exhibitions, but Larsen said: "We used the time to train real hard. We focused on improving and not worrying about matches."

The Tritons rely on a balanced attack — four hitters are averaging at least 2.7 kills per game, led by opposite hitter Jim Waller's 3.86 average — and an active middle block. Jones is accurate on long sets.

"Everybody says, 'It's just San Diego,' " UH outside hitter Jose Delgado said. "But they go hard every single play."

Before Monday's practice, UH coach Mike Wilton told his players: "Be careful, this is not the same San Diego team."

The Warriors will receive a boost with the return of their best offensive player, opposite hitter Pedro Azenha.

He missed the previous two matches because of a badly sprained left ankle.

Although he is not fully healthy, Azenha will start tonight, replacing Matt Bender. During yesterday's intrasquad scrimmage, Azenha buried 36 kills in 47 swings, a hitting efficiency of .659.

"Maybe he's not 100 percent, but .659 is good enough for two people to split up," Wilton said. "That's hard to sneeze at. That's the kind of stuff Yuvi (former UH All-American Yuval Katz) used to do when he was inspired."

After meeting with Wilton yesterday, Azenha said: "It's exciting to be back (in the lineup). I'm feeling comfortable playing again."

Azenha said he might not be as mobile as he was before suffering the injury, but "otherwise I feel really comfortable. My hitting is not affected."

Meanwhile, Wilton said middle blocker Mauli'a LaBarre, a sophomore from Roosevelt High, has reclaimed the starting job he lost during the weekend.

Dionisio Dante, a second-year freshman from Maui, played well in recent workouts and was promoted to the first team for yesterday's practice.

"Mau is back, but Dio is doing pretty good," Wilton said. "It's a nice battle."

Wilton reaffirmed that Brian Beckwith, a 6-6 setter, will start his seventh consecutive match. Wilton said Beckwith is ahead of Kimo Tuyay, a three-year starter who has not played this season while recovering from a sprained left ankle and sore left knee.

Tuyay said he no longer feels discomfort when he jumps. He is listed as the No. 2 setter, and will be included on the 12-player active roster tonight.

Because UH suits up only two setters each match, Daniel Rasay will not be available to play tonight. Rasay was the backup setter in the Warriors' first six matches.

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