Posted on: Saturday, April 9, 2005

Azenha sparks UH sweep of Long Beach

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i' outside hitter Pedro Azenha silenced the hecklers — and Long Beach State — in a 31-29, 30-22, 30-28 men's volleyball victory last night in the Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.

In turning the scorer's table on the 49ers, who earned a three-game sweep in Thursday's match between the teams, the Warriors remained in third place and moved into position to host an opening-round match in the coming Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs.

Pepperdine (18-2 in MPSF) or UCLA (16-3) will win the regular-season title and earn a bye until the semifinals.

Nos. 2-4 host first-round matches. UH and Brigham Young are tied for third at 13-7 with two matches remaining. UC Santa Barbara (12-7) is a half-match behind, but still must play UCLA and Pepperdine.

UH will host a first-round match if it sweeps Pacific (6-14) next Friday and Saturday in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I'm just happy we're playing good Warrior volleyball again," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

Azenha slammed 16 kills and an ace. He closed Game 1 with a block assist and solo rejection of Robert Tarr's shots.

"I needed those two," Azenha said. "I'm really glad I stepped up. I blocked their best player. I jumped as hard as I could."

In Thursday's match, the Warriors struggled with their passing and then attacking. Last night, libero Alfie Reft and opposite hitter Matt Carere provide accurate passing and tireless defense.

The passes near the net gave setter Brian Beckwith more offensive options and eased the stress on his sprained right knee.

Carere's nine kills (in 14 swings), two aces and 24 passes without a receiving error gave UH a boost at the third outside position. UH has used four players at that spot this season.

"Carere looked like what we were dreaming of at that position," Wilton said. "He passed well, blocked and served tough. He was good enough (the 49ers) had to pay attention to him, and that made it easier for Pedro and (left-side hitter Matt) Bender."

Wilton said the Warriors' played "too tight" on Thursday — self-induced tension that adversely affected their block.

"A blocker has to analyze the pass and the set, read the hitters and realize 'there goes the ball,' " Wilton said. "When you're distracted or thinking too much, you can't do all of those things. We did a good job of being focused."

Wilton said the blockers were able to track the 49ers' best attackers — Tarr, who likes to launch shots from the front of the 3-meter line, and middle blocker Yassir Sliti. Tarr committed seven errors and hit .269 — his Thursday percentage was .517 — and Sliti misfired on 10 swings.

Meanwhile, Azenha repeatedly delivered important swings, ignoring the fans' sing-song taunts of "Paaay-dro ... Paaay-dro ..."

"They motivated me today," Azenha said. "They were talking the whole match. It was no problem. Most of the places we go, their fans get on me. It happens when you try to lead the team. The fans will try to get into your head. It doesn't affect me. I had fun."

After the match, Azenha walked toward the 49ers' student section.

"I said, 'Thank you,' to them," Azenha recalled. "I told them they gave me motivation."

The Warriors return to Honolulu today. They resume practicing Monday.

Azenha and backup setter Daniel Rasay will play the final regular-season matches of their UH careers next weekend. The MPSF playoffs begin April 23.

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