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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, October 21, 2007

British Columbia topples Warriors in 4 games

By Liane Yim
Advertiser Staff Writer

British Columbia defeated the Hawai'i men's volleyball team, 30-28, 31-29, 20-30, 30-22, in an exhibition match last night for the second night in a row at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Several hundred fans were in attendance to view the Warriors kick-start the preseason.

Hawai'i's Matt Vanzant finished with a team-high 21 kills, followed by Jake Schkud with 11 and Kealii Frank with seven.

Overall, the Warriors hit .299 compared to the Thunderbirds' .256.

On Friday night, British Columbia beat Hawai'i, 29-31, 30-25, 31-29, 30-24.

"I thought we played a lot better than yesterday," Vanzant said. "I think there were some unlucky plays because every game was close. When we were on in the third game we pretty much dominated. We let down for a little bit, but overall I'm proud of everyone."

Thunderbirds' left-hander Andrew Bonner finished with a team-high 20 kills and four aces. Robert Bennett contributed 14 kills and Jared Krause had eight.

In the first game, neither team led by more than two points, and there were 20 ties and six lead changes.

In the second, Hawai'i led 22-18 before letting things slip away.

Bonner was taken out midway through Game 3 and the Warriors found their rhythm. Hawai'i hit .452 for the game, while British Columbia hit .109.

"They were less up and down than us. (British Columbia head coach Richard Schick) played a lot of his guys," said Warriors head coach Mike Wilton.

In Game 4, the Thunderbirds got out to a 9-5 lead, and Bonner finished the match with an ace.

"I think we played good in spurts. (Krause) is a really good setter and he's been there four years," said Hawai'i assistant coach Tino Reyes. "The last game wasn't a good way to end, but I think we played better tonight."

Nejc Zemljak had 48 assists for Hawai'i. Zemljak, Schkud and Cory Enriques each had 11 digs.

Matt Rawson, Zemljak, Frank, Schkud, Vanzant and Enriques played all four games for the Warriors.

Don't expect the Warriors to have an idea of a starting lineup just yet. Positions and players for both nights were pre-determined based on the "Cauldron system," which grades every kill, pass, serve and block in practice.

"That's a 10-day window so every day new information goes in," Wilton said. "It's a point system so it can change and we have some very close competition at a lot of positions. A lot can change even between now and when we play Pepperdine in a couple of weeks."

The Warriors will play exhibition doubleheaders against Pepperdine on Nov. 5 and 6. The regular season opens Jan. 3 against Penn State.

Reach Liane Yim at lyim@honoluluadvertiser.com.