UH lacks starters, not confidence

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Warrior volleyball WHO: BYU (15-3, 13-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) vs. Hawai'i (13-5, 10-4) WHEN: Today and Saturday, 7 p.m. WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center ADMISSION: $14 (lower bowl), $11 (upper bowl), $9 (senior citizens), $3 (ages 4-18, UH students and super rooters) TV/RADIO: Live on K5 and KKEA 1420-AM PARKING: $3

Or, in the case of the University of Hawai'i, go without four starters in a volleyball match against the nation's No. 1 team.

"Nobody thinks we have a chance," UH setter Kimo Tuyay said of tonight's match against Brigham Young. "I think that factor is going to be good for us. It's good motivation."

Tuyay, a senior, will start in place of Brian Beckwith, who is recovering from tonsillitis.

UH also will be without opposite hitter Pedro Azenha, left-side hitter Delano Thomas, primary passer José José Delgado and backup middle blocker Dionisio Dante. They are suspended until at least Monday for breaking an unspecified team rule during a recent road trip.

UH will replace 6-foot-7 Azenha with 6-3 Matt Bender, 6-7 Thomas with 6-4 Ryan Woodward, and 6-3 Delgado with 6-foot Arri Jeschke. Azenha, Thomas and Delgado average a combined 10.9 kills per game. Jeschke and Bender were serving specialists; Woodward has one kill in four games.

Still, Tuyay said, "we have three guys who are fueled with emotion who just want to go in there and prove themselves."

Bender added: "I feel we actually have a pretty good chance, mostly because everyone thinks we're fighting one-handed. But we do well against the first team every day in practice. We just have to go for it and not be afraid to crank at the ball and be aggressive out there. It's really a matter of being timid versus not being timid."

With four reserves moving into the lineup, libero Jake Muise becomes the top reserve at outside hitter, libero and serving specialist. The 6-foot Muise has a 40-inch vertical jump and can dunk a basketball. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Muise can't play middle blocker, leaving the Warriors with no backup to starters Joshua Stanhiser and Mauli'a LaBarre.

"We're still working on that," coach Mike Wilton said. "I don't think Aaron (Wilton, the assistant coach) has any more eligibility left."

The Cougars, who have won 14 in a row, are an imposing obstacle. Fernando Pessoa, a libero last season, is now a successful outside hitter (team-high 4.29 kills per game) who can pass accurately.

"I would like to say it was something great that I did," BYU coach Tom Peterson said, "but he asked if he could try for an outside position, and I was smart enough to say, 'Why not?' "

Victor Batista, a resident of the Dominican Republic who enrolled in January, has replaced injured Chris Gorny. Against Pepperdine last week, Batista had 18 kills without an error.

Every Cougars starter except middle Michael Burke launches jump serves. Pessoa and setter Carlos Moreno also mix in jump floaters.

The Cougars, Wilton said, "are good and they're hungry. They're hungry all of the time."

But Peterson said he does not know which menu the reorganized Warriors will offer. "We're still trying to figure it out," Peterson said. "A lot of times when teams have some adversity, they really come out and play better. We're expecting their best."

Wilton said the new starters have energized practices, adding, "I'm happy to go to war with these guys any time and anywhere."

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