Lewis and 2004 national champion Brigham Young meet in the 4 p.m. match of this three-day round robin.

"We've had so many people out for a variety of reasons," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "We're a little behind in that regard. That's OK. There's a good team in this group. It will show itself sooner or later."

UH will be without All-America middle blocker Delano Thomas, who is working to complete outstanding academic work, and left-side hitter Matt Carere, who is suffering from back pain. Left-side hitter Lauri Hakala, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle that has decreased his vertical jump by four inches, is available if needed.

To boost what Wilton has described as an "anemic" left-side attack, the lineup has been shuffled to allow the Warriors' best hitters, Azenha and Bender, to play in the same lineup.

Azenha and Bender both play opposite hitter. The opposite usually hits from the right side and is used as a primary passer in only one of the six rotations. Although Bender will play one of the two left-side positions, he will have limited responsibilities as a passer. Libero Alfred Reft and left-side hitter José José Delgado will handle most of the passing.

Bender's passing problems are related to a right arm that cannot straighten. That creates a crooked platform when he extends his arms to pass.

"Honestly, I don't know why my arm can't go straight," he said. "I was born that way."

He has tried to correct the flaw by passing with his wrists instead of forearms.

Although an ideal pass is placed near the net, UH setter Brian Beckwith said, "the 3-meter line is good. I can pretty much run my offense from there. If it gets any farther off from that, it limits my options, and I can't run (quick sets to) the middle."

Bender said: "My goal is definitely the 3-meter attack line. All I have to do is pop it right up in the air."

Bender yesterday resumed practicing after missing two exhibitions last week because of tendinitis and bursitis in his left shoulder.

"I had a hard time standing on the side and watching everybody else play," he said. "It was depressing. It felt good to get back out there."

Wilton said Dionisio Dante will start at one of the middle positions. Dante was suspended for the final month of fall training after violating a team rule. He was reinstated two weeks ago.

"I have a lot of work to do," Dante said.

Kyle Klinger, a first-year player who recently completed his stint in the Air Force, provides depth at middle blocker.

Wilton said Jake Schkud is a backup at middle and outside hitter.

"That's the joker in my deck," Wilton said. "He could end up in many places."

Reft said the Warriors have managed to adjust to the injuries and lineup changes.

"All you can do is focus on getting your job done and hope the chemistry is there," Reft said.

Here's a look at the other tournament teams:

Penn State

The successor to All-America libero Ricky Mattei was found on the Nittany Lions' speed dial.

Freshman Gary Vogel, who led his high school to four Pennsylvania state titles, attended PSU volleyball camps, where his father was a guest instructor. "I know this kid, and this kid knows how to play," PSU coach Mark Pavlik said.

Junior setter Dan O'Dell is a good blocker and server. But he emerged as a leader when freshman setter Luke Murray reported to fall camp.

"All of a sudden you didn't see Danny disappear, which I think you've seen in the past with him," Pavlik said. "He's starting to locate (his sets) better. He obviously understands his hitters because he's been around them so long."

O'Dell's first option is Matt Proper, a 6-foot-6 opposite who can touch 11 feet 9. Pavlik likens Proper to "a young Clay Stanley," an Olympian and former UH standout.

Pavlik said the plan is to set Proper high and often. "If you see his arm laying on the floor on the left side and him on the right side, we probably gave him one too many," Pavlik said. "But we want to get close."

Brigham Young

The Cougars have new starters at six positions, including setter, where Carlos Moreno's eligibility expired. As an international player who did not take the SAT, Moreno, the national Player of the Year in 2004, needed to earn a bachelor's degree by last month to extend his career through May.

"We have to play with who we have," said Victor Batista, who moved from the middle to outside hitter. "We can't think about Carlos anymore because he's not here."

Rob Neilson, who competed against Moreno every day last season, is agile.

Opposite hitter Taylor Evans, at 6 feet 2, can touch 11 feet 6. "He can fly," coach Tom Peterson said.

Casey Patterson, a senior who did not play last season, and freshman Ivan Perez recently were cleared academically and will compete for one of the outside positions. Patterson and Perez were scheduled to arrive yesterday; they have not practiced this year.

That leaves the animated Batista as the go-to hitter. Batista was recruited as an outside hitter, but moved to the middle as emergency relief for injured players. He competed as an outside hitter in the U.S. Open during the summer, and was named most outstanding player.

"I was like, I think I can be good playing outside hitter," he said.

Lewis

New coach Dan Friend remains upbeat despite the Flyers' on-going problems.

The Flyers forfeited their 2003 national championship after an internal investigation showed eligibility violations. They will not be eligible to compete for the NCAA title this year. Dave Deuser, who founded the program, resigned at the end of last season.

"I knew this when I walked in," Friend said. "I knew a lot of things were going on. Maybe we got hit a lot harder than I thought, but I came in to build a program. I built one before, in the middle of Kansas (Newman). Lewis has great tradition. If I can keep it moving and bring in some good players, we'll be fine."

Lewis (Illinois) returns five starters, and Friend has tinkered with the defensive schemes.

"Our focus is there's no pressure," Friend said. "The pressure is on everybody else. We're here to have fun and play a high level of volleyball and be competitive."