Co-captain Tuyay moves back into starting lineup
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Attempting to overcome a manpower shortage caused by suspensions and illness, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team will turn to co-captains Kimo Tuyay and Jake Muise for tomorrow's match against top-ranked Brigham Young.
Tuyay, a senior setter from San Diego, will make his first start since the semifinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament last May. Tuyay, who was a starter the previous three seasons before ceding the job in fall training camp, replaces freshman Brian Beckwith, who is recovering from tonsillitis.
Muise, a senior libero who has played in one game this season, has been elevated to the top reserve. He will be available as an outside hitter, libero or serving specialist.
On Monday, UH coach Mike Wilton announced that opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, left-side hitter Delano Thomas, primary passer José José Delgado and backup middle blocker Dio Dante violated an unspecified team rule and were suspended from competing until at least next week. With Matt Bender, Arri Jeschke and Ryan Woodward moving into the starting lineup, Muise was told he would "be the first player off the bench."
Wilton said he is comfortable with the lineup changes, particularly at setter.
"Mo," Wilton said of Tuyay, "has a lot of experience."
When asked about the difference between Tuyay and Beckwith, assistant coach Tino Reyes said, "One is haole and one is Filipino."
"I'm the Filipino one," Beckwith said, laughing.
"They're both good setters," Reyes said.
The noticeable difference is on quick sets to the middle attackers. At 6 feet 6, Beckwith's point of contact is higher than the 6-2 Tuyay's, placing the set in the hitting zone a nanosecond quicker.
"Kimo might set it a little bit slower, but they're both highly skilled," Reyes said. "They're good leaders out there. They take care of the team. That's the most important thing."
Beckwith, who did not practice Saturday and Monday, participated in serve-and-pass drills yesterday. But he appeared to be weary. During the scrimmage, he was on the sideline. Transforming a paper cup into a megaphone, Beckwith provided play-by-play commentary.
Beckwith said he became ill during the recent road trip. "My throat swelled up and I was having trouble breathing and swallowing," he recalled.
Because a physician does not travel with the team, Beckwith waited until the Warriors returned to Honolulu last Wednesday to be examined. That day, he began an eight-day cycle of antibiotics.
"Since then, I've been trying to recuperate," he said. "When you're in bed all day, you lose strength and endurance. I'm trying to get back into it."
Before yesterday's practice, Wilton announced Tuyay would start tomorrow night.
"It's been a while since I've done one of these," said Tuyay, referring to the pre-match introductions. He then pretended to throw an imaginary haku lei toward the end-line seats in the Stan Sheriff Center. "I hope I can still throw (the lei) far."
He added: "I want to appreciate this, because these type of things don't come around too often lately. I'm going to play as hard as I can out there."
Muise also said he is relishing his opportunity. Muise, who started last season, was displaced by transfer Alfred Reft at libero during fall training camp. Because each team is limited to 12 eligible players for an MPSF match, Muise has been on the active roster three times this season. He did not travel with the Warriors on their last road trip.
Muise, who claims to be 6 feet, uses a 40-inch vertical jump — he can touch 10 feet, 11 inches — to attack blocks. In yesterday's scrimmage, he hit nearly .400 against 6-foot-8 Mauli'a LaBarre and 6-10 Joshua Stanhiser.
"I can hit the ball pretty hard, but my job wouldn't be to come in and get 15 kills like Pedro (Azenha)," Muise said. "My job would be to come in and stabilize the passing. Even if I play outside, I still have the libero mentality."
Mike Wilton said he will finalize his 12-player active roster today. During yesterday's scrimmage, assistant coach Aaron Wilton played outside hitter for the scout team. Austin Rester, who played football at Texas Tech in 2002, might suit up. One problem: Rester does not have a jersey number. "I'm the unknown man," Rester said.
UH is fifth: The Warriors remained No. 5 in this week's USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association top-15 poll. BYU is No. 1 and received all 14 first-place votes from the panel of voters participating this week.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
