Playing volleyball isn't brain surgery, although it doesn't hurt that an aspiring neurologist — outside hitter Matt Carere — is entrusted to lead the University of Hawai'i men's team.

In voting by the Warrior players, libero Alfee Reft was named team captain last month. Because that defensive-speciality position sits out 1 1/2 rotation turns, Carere, who finished second in the voting, yesterday was named the permanent floor captain by UH coach Mike Wilton. In that role, Carere is empowered to speak directly to the officials during matches. Reft will serve more as the off-court leader.

"I was surprised," Carere said of the appointment, "and I was flattered."

The senior from British Columbia has had a quiet ascension. After two seasons at Camosun College in Canada, Carere transferred to UH. "Why Hawai'i?" he said. "Why not? You come for the weather and you stay for the people. Hawai'i was the best choice."

He redshirted in 2004. Last season, a lower-back injury limited him to nine starts and 15 matches.

During the offseason, Carere focused on improving his health and conditioning. In a comprehensive scoring system, Carere earned the second-highest rating for a UH outside hitter during fall training. Rebuilding a career was natural for Carere, who worked last summer building furniture and restoring old houses. "I feel it's nice to have a broad spectrum of talent," said Carere, who will start at left-side hitter in Friday's exhibition match against Douglas.

Carere will earn a degree in chemistry in May. He has started studying for medical-school exams.

Reft also is an unlikely leader — and volleyball player. He said he is 5 feet 9 3/4. "You know, the more you play defense, the more you shrink," he said, smiling. "I'm always crouching so my spinal cord is shrinking."

Reft, who transferred from UC Santa Barbara in August 2003, was named Volleyball Magazine's 2005 Defensive Player of the Year. Still, Wilton noted, "he wasn't a good leader before. He was kind of out there. He grew into that job over the summer."

At the end of last season, Wilton told Reft: "You're a returning All-American. It would be good if a returning All-American is a leader."

Wilton added: "He took it to heart."

Reft said he was not always comfortable voicing his opinions. Now, he said, "There's no holding back any more."

Setter Brian Beckwith said: "Off the court, he's really soft-spoken and polite. On the court, he knows there's work to be done, and he does a great job of motivating and leading us."

2006 SCHEDULE

JANUARY

6—Douglas College, 7 p.m. 7—Douglas College, 7 p.m. 13—at UC Santa Barbara, 7:05 p.m. 14—at UC Santa Barbara, 7:05 p.m. Outrigger Invitational: 18—Penn State, 7 p.m.; 19—Ohio State, 7 p.m.; 20—UCLA, 7 p.m. 25—UC Irvine, 7 p.m. 27—UC Irvine, 7 p.m.

FEBRUARY

9—at Pepperdine, 7 p.m. 10—at Pepperdine, 7 p.m. 16—Long Beach State, 7 p.m. 17—Long Beach State, 7 p.m. 24—at Cal State Northridge, 6 p.m. 25—at Cal State Northridge, 11 a.m. 27—at USC, 7 p.m. 28—at USC, 7 p.m.

MARCH

10—UCLA, 7 p.m. 11—UCLA, 7 p.m. 17—Loyola-Chicago, 7 p.m. 18—Alumni, 4 p.m.; Loyola-Chicago, 7 p.m. 25—at Pacific, 7 p.m. 27—at Pacific, 7 p.m. 29—at Stanford, 7 p.m. 30—at Stanford, 7 p.m.

APRIL

7—UC San Diego, 7 p.m. 8—UC San Diego, 7 p.m. 14—Brigham Young, 7 p.m. 15—Brigham Young, 7 p.m. 19—MPSF play-in, TBA. 22—MPSF quarterfinals, TBA. 27—MPSF semifinals, TBA. 29—MPSF championship, TBA.

MAY

4—NCAA semifinals, TBA. 6—NCAA championship, TBA.

All times local to site

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.