Four Warriors suspended

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Four University of Hawai'i volleyball players, including three starters, are suspended until at least Monday for violating a "team rule."

UH coach Mike Wilton said opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, outside hitters Delano Thomas and José José Delgado, and backup middle blocker Dionisio Dante are not allowed to play in matches against top-ranked Brigham Young on Thursday and Saturday or practice with the team while on suspension. Wilton said he will decide on reinstatement when he meets with them on Monday.

"The ball is in their court," Wilton said.

Wilton and several UH players yesterday declined to identify the violated rule. The four suspended players were not available for comment yesterday.

Wilton said the four did not commit a violation of the athletic department's Code of Conduct, meaning the offense did not involve violence, an illegal activity or an academic deficiency. The players remain on the team, and are allowed to receive financial aid from the athletic department and attend classes.

Wilton said the four broke the team rule March 10 after the Warriors' three-game sweep of Southern California in Los Angeles. It was the last night of a four-match road trip.

"I found out the night it happened," Wilton said. "It was after all of the playing was over with. It was specifically an issue that happened at the very, very end of the road trip."

The Warriors returned to Honolulu last Wednesday, and Wilton notified the players of the suspensions last Friday. The four did not practice on Saturday. UH announced the suspensions publicly yesterday afternoon.

"I waited to talk to them about it on Friday," Wilton said. "I wanted to seriously contemplate everything. It is, however, the only decision that brought me peace."

At the start of the season, Wilton said, the players are required to attend a meeting to review the team rules and sanctions. Each player then receives a written copy of the rules.

"There's not a gray area," co-captain Kimo Tuyay said. "It's pretty much: 'This is what it is. You do whatever, you're going to be punished.' ... I'm in support of my teammates, but coach's rules are the rules. I accept that. Also, if you don't have rules, what kind of team are you going to be?"

Of the suspended players, Matt Bender, who will start in place of Azenha, said: "They're my good friends. Their decisions are their own. My personal feelings are totally unimportant as far as those things go. I mean, I love those guys. That's all that matters."

Wilton said seniors Ryan Woodward and Arri Jeschke will open at the two left-side positions. Tuyay might start in place of setter Brian Beckwith, who is suffering from a viral infection.

UH has a roster of 20 players, but league rules allow only 12 to be eligible for each match. With four redshirting and Beckwith questionable, outside hitter Austin Rester, who played football at Texas Tech in 2002, might suit up.

"I think the biggest thing here is we're going to go out and have a lot of fun," Bender said. "I know, personally, all of these guys out here" — he pointed to the backups — "can play as well — if not sometimes better — than those guys who have been on the court. I think we have confidence we can win on Thursday and Saturday night. It's a matter of us just playing well."

Azenha, who averages a team-high 4.67 kills per game, and Thomas, who has 35 aces, are the Warriors' best servers. Delgado is a primary passer.

On replacing Thomas, Woodward said: "It's big shoes to fill. He's got size 15, but I've got 13, and I'm going to do what I can."

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