"We'll have to get them some walkers," UH middle blocker Dionisio Dante added.

In fact, the alumni are a Who's Who of UH volleyball: Sivan Leoni (1995-98), Dejan Miladinovic (1998-02), Jason Olive (1992-95), Sean Scott (1992-95), Costas Theocharidis (2000-03), Rick Tune (1995-97), Kimo Tuyay (2000-04), Aaron Wilton (1994-97) and Eyal Zimet (2000-03).

In two exhibitions two weeks ago, the UH alumni won three of four games against Alberta, which had swept the Warriors.

Asked about the shape of the alumni team, Theocharidis said, "Triangle?"

Theocharidis, who is UH's career leader in kills and the sport's only four-time, first-team All-American, added: "I honestly think I'm in better shape than when I played for UH. I'm fresher. I don't have to go through the rigorous training that we used to go through. I'm not going to be so uptight. It's not going to be life or death. I'm going to go out there and have fun."

Miladinovic, who recently earned his MBA, said "the pressure is on them, as usual. They don't want to lose to a bunch of old guys."

Tuyay, who earned a bachelor's degree last May, called three loosely attended practices for the alumni this week. As the setter and a licensed Realtor, Tuyay abides by the mantra of both jobs: Location, location, location.

"I want to set to nice spots, and we'll see what happens," he said.

Tuyay, Miladinovic, Theocharidis and Zimet were key members of the UH team that defeated Pepperdine in the final match of the 2002 NCAA Championships. Their strategy now is the same as it was then: feed Theocharidis.

"He'll be the main guy as usual," Miladinovic said. "We'll be the supporting cast."

Theocharidis said: "We think we're going to bang the younger heads. They're talking a lot of smack."

The taunting has been fueled by Aaron Wilton, a Warrior assistant coach who will play for the alumni.

"He started the trash-talking early," UH middle blocker Mauli'a LaBarre said. "He put together a good team. They're not the usual old-timers. These are all of the guys who are legitimate players. We'll have to play hard or they'll steamroll us."

"If we don't beat them," opposite hitter Pedro Azenha said, "we'll have to listen to Aaron every day in practice. Nobody wants to hear that."

UH head coach Mike Wilton said the Warriors are practicing as if they were preparing for a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opponent. UH opens the MPSF season Wednesday against Cal State Northridge.

"We're trying to get ready for conference play and, for sure, the alumni will help us with that," Wilton said.

UH will start Azenha, outside hitters José José Delgado and Bender, middle blockers Dante and LaBarre, setter Brian Beckwith and libero Alfred Reft.

Mike Wilton said outside hitter Matt Carere is still bothered by back pain and might not be available until next week. "He's getting better," Wilton said, "but he won't be back until he can spike."

Remaining UH schedule:

January

14—Alumni matches starting at 4:30 p.m.; 19—Cal State Northridge, 7 p.m.; 21—Cal State Northridge, 7 p.m.; 28—at UC Irvine; 29—at UC Irvine

February

3—Stanford, 7 p.m.; 4—Stanford, 7 p.m.; 16—USC, 7 p.m.; 18—USC, 7 p.m.; 25—at UCLA; 26—at UCLA

March

2—Pepperdine, 7 p.m.; 4—Pepperdine, 7 p.m.; 11—Ball State, 7 p.m.; 12—Ball State, 7 p.m.; 18—at BYU; 19—at BYU; 23—at UC San Diego; 25—at UC San Diego

April

1—UC Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.; 2—UC Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. 7—at Long Beach State; 8—at Long Beach State; 20—Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship Tournament, 7th Place Play-In; 23—MPSF Quarterfinals; 28—at MPSF Semifinals; 30—MPSF Finals

May

5—NCAA Championship semifinals; 7—NCAA Championship final

Banquet will honor Rainbow Wahine

The Rainbow Wahine volleyball team will be honored by its booster club Jan. 30 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. No-host cocktails will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by a dinner buffet and program.

Price is $35 per person. For information, call 623-2135 or visit www.wahinevb.uhboosters.com.