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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, January 28, 2005

Hawai'i hopes to be on the money

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the no-frills budget of University of Hawai'i men's volleyball, players and coaches sleep three-to-a-room on road trips — even head coach Mike Wilton will snooze on the roll-out bed if he loses the jan-ken-po — and each tries to manage on a meal allowance of a little more than $20 per day.

Soon after arriving in Orange County Wednesday night for tonight's match against UC Irvine, Wilton gave each player four days' worth of meal money.

"It's part of treating them like adults," Wilton said. "It's: 'Here's your dough, do the math. We're here four days. See how much you have to eat on.'"

The Warriors (4-1, 2-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) also hope to be thrifty in their approach to the Anteaters (2-5, 1-2): Fewer service errors, fewer attack mistakes.

"We have to get the job done," UH outside hitter José José Delgado said. "We don't want to waste time on the road."

In the past five seasons, the Warriors are 25-9 in road matches (.735 winning percentage). "We love being on the road because it's a way to prove ourselves," UH setter Brian Beckwith said.

This is a unique two-match series. Tonight's match is in the 5,000-seat Bren Events Center, where the Anteaters hope to eventually play all of their matches. Until this year, the Anteaters had to pay the Student Union for use of the facility; now, it is run by the athletic department. Because of a basketball game Saturday night, the second match will be in cozy Crawford Hall. UH practiced for two hours in Crawford yesterday.

"It's fixed up a little bit," Wilton said. "It looks like a newly resurfaced floor and new bleachers."

The Anteaters' rotation also has been renovated. All-America opposite hitter Jimmy Pelzel has completed his eligibility. Pelzel's sets are now spread among left-handed opposite hitter Jon Steller (4.81 kills per game), outside hitters Jayson Jablonsky (3.71) and Steffin Rangel, and middles Aaron Harrell and David Smith. Matt Webber, who has recovered from a sore left (swinging) shoulder, also will compete at opposite.

"Our offense is more balanced," third-year coach John Speraw said. "It's made us more deceptive."

The Anteaters have no seniors. This is sophomore Brian Thornton's first season as the Anteaters' starting setter.

"We're exceptionally young, but all have potential to be real impact players," Speraw said. "It takes patience."

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