Posted on: Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Hawai'i hopes to pass muster

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the final 2-hour preparation for tonight's men's volleyball match against Cal State Northridge, the University of Hawai'i coaches served notice about the importance of passing accurately.

Standing on 30-inch-high boxes, assistant coach Aaron Wilton and student assistant Jake Muise took turns hammering serves at the UH passers.

The drill trained the Warriors for the Matadors' power serves — the entire rotation uses the jump-and-slam technique — and emphasized that the first step is the most important in an offense's pass-set-spike sequence.

"They're a really strong-serving team," UH outside hitter José José Delgado said, "but as long as our passes are there, we're not going to have any trouble."

Most jump-servers try for aces. The Matadors' serving strategy is to induce bad passes, pulling the setter away from the net and narrowing the chances of quick sets to the middle. That allows defenses to set up double blocks on the front-corner hitters.

In two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches this season, the Matadors averaged a stingy 3.5 service errors per game, and placed 87 percent of their serves in fair territory. (In three non-conference matches, the Warriors averaged 4.3 service errors per game.)

"We have to be smart and consistent with our passing," UH opposite hitter Pedro Azenha said.

While most setters demand the pass near the net, UH's Brian Beckwith, at 6 feet 6, can operate within the 3-meter line if the pass is at least 8› feet high. That allows Beckwith to get under the pass, and jump-set it quickly to the middle or high to the corners.

"It's more difficult to set the middle if I'm not jump-setting," Beckwith said. "If I have to crouch down, I only have the outside options."

This year, an easy relationship has developed between Beckwith and 6-foot-9 middle blocker Mauli'a LaBarre (2.67 kills per game, up from last year's average of 1.53).

"They're a good team," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

LaBarre, who gained strength through an intensive weight-training program, has learned how to be an effective decoy.

"As soon as the ball is in Brian's hands, I should be up in the air so he can see I'm available to hit," LaBarre said. "If I can draw (the middle blocker), it opens it up for Pedro (Azenha) or (Matt) Bender to hit one-on-one.

"We're called middle blockers for a reason. We don't get 30 sets a game. But when we get our chance, we need to put the ball away. It's like a football offense. It's run, run, run and then play-action pass. We're the play-action pass. If the other team thinks there's a chance I'll get a set, they have to respect that, and that helps our outside hitters."

Beckwith, meanwhile, has earned the respect of his teammates. As a freshman last season, he often deferred leadership to the older players. Then when the Warriors struggled with their passing, senior Kimo Tuyay replaced Beckwith in the starting lineup.

This year, Beckwith seized the starting job during training camp. Soon after, Wilton named Beckwith as floor captain, a role that allows him to make the on-court decisions.

"It's not always easy for a freshman to come in and lead," Beckwith said. "This year, I've really settled into my position. I think they respect that I'm a real competitor."

Assistant coach Tino Reyes said Beckwith is "not abrasive, yet he's not passive. He's a natural leader."

Beckwith said: "Last year, we were a pretty emotional team, going up and down. We couldn't really steady out. I think this year we have all of the components to ease that roller-coaster ride of our games and to play really consistent."

The Matadors, who have new starters at four positions, also are looking for consistency, as well as good health. Outside hitter Cary Hanson, their top attacker and server, has an elbow injury. Opposite hitter Brian Rhodes is suffering from a sore right hand. Both are expected to play.

Their most prolific hitter is middle blocker Brian Waite, who is second on the team with 6.14 swings per game.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.