Since then, Carere and Alfee Reft have frustrated opponents with their passes and digs during the Warriors' three-game winning streak to close the regular season.

"They've done a good job," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "The serving-and-passing game is the most important."

Carere and Reft are an unlikely tandem. Carere, a 6-foot-4 junior from British Columbia, uses his range and long arms to pop up serves or attacks. At 5-11, Reft, who was raised in Oxnard, Calif., relies on anticipation and grit.

Carere is listed as the opposite hitter, a position that is three rotation turns from the setter. The opposite hitter is usually a team's most prolific attacker. In UH's unconventional schemes, Carere is a primary passer and occasional hitter.

"I'm comfortable with that role," he said. "If I can provide some offense, I'll do that, but my focus is on defense, passing and serving. Hitting is secondary to those three."

Carere manages to pass with arms that appear to be thin enough to squeeze through air vents.

"I have longer limbs, so that's my advantage," Carere said. "What I lack in strength, I make up for in length."

Carere also has embraced the defender's mentality. "When you get a big dig or a good pass on a hard serve, you get just as psyched as when you get a kill," he said.

Reft said he spends time on his footwork, positioning and mental preparation.

"Defense is an attitude," Reft said. "It's that mentality that you're not letting them put anything on the floor around you.

"When you see a 6-8 guy hitting a ball, thinking he's going to have the best kill of his life, and you're just there digging it, it can be the most frustrating thing for a hitter. For me, it's exhilarating. Other guys love to hit or think blocking is great, but my passion is digging."