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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 27, 2006

Well-rested Warriors to play Pacific again

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team should be well-rested for today's rematch against Pacific in the Spanos Center in Stockton, Calif.

The Warriors practiced in Manoa Friday morning, departed that afternoon on a non-stop flight to Sacramento, and arrived in Stockton late Friday. They suited up 11 of a possible 13 players in their three-game victory Saturday.

As a high official in the Mormon church, UH coach Mike Wilton tries not to work on Sundays. He gave the players the option of participating in a voluntary serve-and-pass practice at Spanos yesterday.

"I wasn't going to do anything, that's why I made (the session) voluntary," Wilton said. "I don't want to force my beliefs on anybody. That was their choice (to practice)."

None of the players participated.

"I think we needed the day off," UH setter Brian Beckwith said. "It's late in the season for us. We're really trying to keep our bodies in a nice, healthy state. We wanted to take the day off and let a shoulder or a knee recover from the little aches and pains. We needed some rest from all of the travel.

This is the Warriors' fourth — and final — road trip of the regular season.

Wilton said reserve middle blocker Jake Schkud should be healthy enough to rejoin the active roster. Schkud remained at the hotel Saturday because of either food poisoning or a stomach virus. Beckwith said Schkud regained his appetite yesterday.

"He's feeling better," Beckwith said. "I expect him to be ready."

Schkud is the Warriors' only experienced backup middle blocker on this trip. Kyle Klinger remained in Honolulu after suffering a broken big toe on his right foot.

Wilton said in an emergency, outside hitter Matt Carere, the floor captain, could be used in the middle.

"That would be something," said Carere, who had played as a middle for one year at the club level in Canada.

Dio Dante, one of the starting middles, showed no ill effects from an injured right pinkie on his hitting hand. In Saturday's match, Dante had a team-high 10 kills and contributed to seven of the Warriors' 11.5 blocks.

The Warriors also displayed few problems after adjusting to Pacific's aggressive serves and Stockton's dry air. Carere said the "drier air" made the volleyballs "dance" while in flight. "Maybe that's why it was so hard to pass," Carere said.

The Warriors' sprayed passes forced Beckwith to scramble. The Warriors trailed 16-12 in Game 1 before rallying.

"It took a while to get the car started," Beckwith said. "But it got way better, and after that, it made it easier for us to get into the system."

Carere said tonight's key is to adjust to Pacific serves early, hurrying the flow of the Warriors' quick offense.

"We have to play to our tempo," Carere said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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