Bender was on crutches Thursday, and his left ankle was supported by heavy wrapping and a boot brace.

He was scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging, a procedure in which magnetic fields are used to create a picture of the body's interior. The MRI results will not be evaluated for a few more days.

Bender, a fifth-year senior, said he will miss UH's exhibition matches against Douglas Friday and Saturday. UH coach Mike Wilton said Bender will not be available for next week's season-opening road matches against UC Santa Barbara.

"It's frustrating," Bender told The Advertiser Thursday. "I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I suppose there's a reason for this. Maybe I don't know what it is, but I definitely believe there's a reason."

Wilton said: "It's a bum deal for him, as it is for us. He's paid a lot of time. He's paid a lot of dues. It's a tough deal."

Bender averaged 3.55 kills per game last season.