To make ends meet, outside hitter Nemanja Komar is poised to meet the end of his University of Hawai'i volleyball career.

Komar, who is a second-year freshman, will become the Warriors' student manager in the fall, succeeding Doug Hussey.

"I feel kind of sad right now," Komar said. "I'll still be with the team, but I won't be able to play."

In recent weeks, Komar earned an expanded role because of his accurate passing and keen blocking. But Komar, who is a resident of Serbia, could no longer afford to live in Hawai'i on his volleyball stipend.

The team is allowed to parcel the dollar equivalent of 4.5 scholarships to its players. Komar receives $2,000 from the volleyball team this semester.

But as an international student, his tuition is $7,200 per semester. In addition, each month he pays $500 for rent and $300 for food.

"That comes out to a huge amount that my parents can't really help," Komar said. "The economy back home is really bad. They can't do much about it."

Komar said he was unsuccessful in securing financial aid or a student loan.

"There's no loan for international students," Komar said. "The only way is to have an American citizen as a co-signer. I couldn't find one. The idea just fell off."

After learning of Komar's situation, the coaches offered him the manager's job, which involves coordinating videos, equipment and serving as statistician during practices.

The manager's stipend will cover his room and board and pay for more than half of his tuition.

"By doing the manager's job, that's the only way to make it work," Komar said. "The coaches are doing me a favor."

He also will be allowed to keep his job in UH's department of information technology services. That department processes payroll checks for the employees of the Manoa campus.

Komar currently works 20 hours each week. Most of his shifts are after the Warriors' practices.

"I work and I practice," he said. "It was pretty tough my first semester, but I got used to it. Now it's an every-day thing."

He earns more than $9 an hour.

"If I wasn't doing that, it would be hard," he said.

Now Komar is prepared for the Warriors' — and his — final road trip of the season. UH plays Pepperdine Friday and Saturday.

"I'm going to miss it," Komar said.