UH men continue domination of Tritons

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i volleyball team changed its lineup, but not its mastery of UC San Diego, easing to a 30-25, 30-22, 30-25 victory last night in the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 2,730 saw the Warriors improve to 30-0 in this series spanning a dozen years. The rematch is tomorrow.

"I thought we did pretty well," UH setter Brian Beckwith said. "We had a week off, and we had a little bit of butterflies in the beginning, but not many. I think we're starting to smooth out now."

Opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, who missed the previous two matches because of a sprained left ankle, returned to the lineup — this time at left-side hitter. Jose Delgado, the usual secondary left-side hitter, moved to the right side as the opposite hitter.

The switch reduced Azenha's responsibilities as a blocker, causing less stress on his healing left ankle, and provided the Warriors with an accurate passer on the right side. UH coach Mike Wilton said he returned to the strategy of the 2002 championship season, when Eyal Zimet, the team's best outside passer, played opposite.

"Right now, Jose is hitting much better on the right," Wilton said. We wanted to put him over there. We feel, with Pedro or (backup Matt Bender), the move will give us more firepower on the left side. I think it's going to be nice for us."

Delgado said: "I do feel more comfortable on the right side. Whatever the coach tells me, I'll do."

Delano Thomas, the primary left-side hitter, said the switches created "better chemistry on the floor."

Thomas hammered 17 kills (against two errors) and hit .484. It was his most productive performance since switching from the middle, where he was an All-American last year, to the outside during fall training camp.

The 6-foot-7 Thomas entered the match hitting .226, but he repeatedly hit over the Tritons' double block. He also had three aces, including his aloha-ball serve.

"I've only been playing (outside hitter) for two months now," Thomas said. "It's going to be a learning curve. It's going to take time."

Azenha added 12 kills, but committed seven of the Warriors' 11 hitting errors. "Pedro is not all the way back," Wilton said. "He might have tried a little too hard, but he'll be OK."

Delgado had seven kills, hitting .500, and three digs.

UH setter Kimo Tuyay played in his first match since suffering a sprained left ankle and sore knee in fall camp. "It's my last year, and I'm trying to cherish as much playing time as I can," said Tuyay, who started Game 3.

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