"That's the way it worked out," said UH coach Mike Wilton, who used a five-discipline scoring system to determine the Warriors' starters for tonight's rematch against host UC San Diego in La Jolla, Calif.

In the second of two matches against Brigham Young last week, LaBarre was benched after missing a team meeting because he returned late from a family gathering.

He also did not start in the three-game victory over UC San Diego Wednesday night. But he opened in Game 3, hammering five kills in five swings. He also baffled the Tritons with a dancing float serve.

"He played better," Wilton said of the 6-foot-9 LaBarre. "You play good, you get to play."

Kyle Klinger will start at the other middle position. Dionisio Dante and Jake Schkud are the backups.

Carere out-pointed José José Delgado to win the starting job at opposite hitter in UH's new scheme.

"His sum (in yesterday's practice) was greater than JosŽ's," Wilton said. "He's getting more points in practice, and that's what it boils down to at that position."

In the previous scheme, Pedro Azenha, the team's best attacker, played opposite, and Matt Bender and Delgado or Carere were the two left-side hitters. But deciding the lineup needed more offense from the front left, Wilton moved Azenha to outside hitter, where he hits from the front left in three of the six rotation turns.

Azenha, who had 17 kills and hit .609 against the Tritons, will remain as a left-side hitter.

"That experiment worked," Wilton said. "Hitting .600 is better than hitting, say, .060. He gives us what we need from the front left."

Wilton said Lauri Hakala will start in place of Bender at the second left-side position. Bender, who is recovering from flu-like symptoms, did not play Wednesday.

"He still doesn't look like himself," Wilton said. "He lost about 10 pounds or more. I think his status hasn't changed any. He needs to get his strength back, that's what I think. He needs some home cooking ... some kind of cooking."

Wilton said he will continue the system of evaluating the lineup after every practice and match.

"I think it's good to earn your position daily," he said.

After yesterday's morning practice, the players were allowed free time until dinner. Many chose to sleep in their hotel rooms.

Wilton said he spent his free time "looking at some numbers from practice. I'll be looking at some (volleyball) video, too. I guess that's how I relax. You know, that's what coaches do."