"I leave that up to others to talk about," Wilton said. "I'm more concerned about how we play."

The start of next week's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs gained clarity with Long Beach State's four-game upset of UCLA last night. The outcome gave Pepperdine the regular-season championship, an opening-round bye and the host's role for the semifinals and title match.

Nos. 2, 3 and 4 will host first-round matches. UH and Brigham Young are tied for third with 13-7 MPSF records and two matches remaining. Long Beach State is fifth at 13-8 with one match left. BYU and LBSU have the tie-breaking advantage over the Warriors, who need to defeat Pacific tonight and tomorrow night to host a first-round match.

"We can't depend on these other teams to lose," UH setter Brian Beckwith said. "We have to do our best to win these both. We'll make our own fate."

Last week, Pacific was eliminated from contention for the eight-team playoff, whose champion earns an automatic berth in the NCAA final four. The at-large team is expected to come from the MPSF, the strongest of the nation's three conferences.

Despite a lineup of six seniors, led by Saint Louis School graduate Brian Zodrow (4.69 kills per game, seventh best nationally), Pacific has imploded because of erratic serving and poor passing.

Pedro Azenha

Wilton has treated this match differently. In recent weeks, he set the starting lineup according to the statistical performances in practices and matches. Wilton decided before Monday's practice he would go with the same players who started in last Saturday's three-game road victory over Long Beach State.

"It helps you set up your week," Beckwith said. "It's good to know who's starting so you can rest and relax and get ready for the (match)."

Matt Carere

Carere, who missed the early part of the season because of a back injury, said he is playing more aggressively. "That's making a big difference for me," Carere said.

His development allows Azenha and Matt Bender to play the two outside positions, boosting the Warriors' front-left attack. In the revised roles, Azenha is on the front left in three of the six rotation turns; Bender hits there two times.

What makes the scheme work is Azenha's emergence as a third passer, easing the workload on Carere and libero Alfee Reft.

"There was a time I didn't want to watch him pass a volleyball," Wilton said of Azenha. "He's improved so much."

Azenha also remains as the team's most intimidating server. His powerful jump serve sometimes forces opposing teams to use five passers.

"The coaches give me the freedom to serve hard," Azenha said. "If I miss, they understand."

Bender said Azenha's approaching turn behind the service line is as anticipated as Barry Bonds' at-bats. "You're expecting a home run," Bender said of Azenha's serves. "You just want to watch him crank one."