Who knew the kings of the block would reside in Manoa?

But after two weeks, Dio Dante and Matt "Dragon" Rawson of the University of Hawai'i are 1-2 among Mountain Pacific Sports Federation players in blocking.

"I know it's early, but I don't recall that ever happening," said Mike Wilton, whose team plays Loyola University Chicago tomorrow in the opener of the Outrigger Invitational.

Dante, a 6-foot-7 senior, averages 1.70 blocks per game. Rawson, a 6-foot-8 second-year freshman, averages 1.67.

Jason Salmeri, who coaches the middle blockers, said Dante is an imposing obstacle.

"He's a big boy," Salmeri said. "You're not going to hit through him. He gets out there and he doesn't reach. He just puts his hands in the right spot. When the ball hits him, it's not coming on our side. He's a beast."

"Is that what a beast is?" Dante said, smiling. "It takes one to know one. Volleyball isn't about strength. It's about technique."

Dante said he uses the clues provided by the opposing setter to create the block.

"It's like a dance, a timed dance," Dante said. "You have to watch the other team and think about what the next move will be."

Rawson, meanwhile, relies on his long reach. The rules allow a blocker to reach across as long as he doesn't touch the net or make contact with the volleyball before an opposing attacker has a chance to strike at a set.

"I know how to get over," said Rawson, whose elbows often are above the top of the net.

Salmeri said: "Rawson moves very well along the net. He has a very quick reaction time. He's not trying to go up as far as he can, he's trying to go over as far as he can."

Salmeri said both work on block-specific drills, as well as watch videotapes of their play.

"We try to give good feedback as well as a little negative feedback every once in a while," Salmeri said. "They can see what they're doing wrong on video, and fix it."

For added motivation, Dante, who led the MPSF in blocking last year, recalls being named to the All-America second team.

"When someone says you're not good enough, of course it makes you want to play harder," Dante said. "My goal is to get that (first-team) honor."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.