Finding "Nemo" is easy as looking at the University of Hawai'i volleyball team's starting lineup.

In an effort to stabilize the passing, left-side hitter Nemanja "Nemo" Komar, a second-year freshman, will make his first collegiate start when the Warriors host 2007 NCAA champion UC Irvine tonight in the Stan Sheriff Center. The rematch is Saturday night.

"We're going to go with Nemo," Hawai'i coach Mike Wilton announced after yesterday's 90-minute practice. "He's getting better. He can be at the net for us. Primarily, we have him in there to pass for us. That's the reason."

Komar, who is 6 feet 3, has a vertical jump of 37 inches and can touch 11 feet 4. But it is what he does below the net — accurate passing — that should help ease libero Ric Cervantes' workload.

"He's trying to cover half the court sometimes," Komar said of Cervantes' duties as a primary passer. "He needs some help."

Komar said he receives satisfaction from a well-placed pass to a target a meter from the net, which increases setter Sean Carney's options.

"It feels good when you have the perfect pass and you see the ball go to the perfect spot," Komar said. "It's not easy. It requires a lot of concentration."

Passing will be essential against the Anteaters. Jon Stellar, a left-handed opposite attacker, has 31 aces, an average of 0.42 per game.

"Stellar can really bring it," Cervantes said. "He's a good server. His serve hooks really fast, and it doesn't give any time to react. It cuts across the court. You have to be aggressive with it. If you don't, you're going to get aced."

Wilton said he expects the Warriors to be in improved health. Three starters — opposite attacker Jake Schkud and middle blockers Matt "Dragon" Rawson and Steven Grgas — are housemates. All are recovering from severe head colds or flu-like symptoms.

"I probably had it the worst out of everyone at first," Grgas said. "I might have given it to everyone."

Grgas said sometimes it is easier to focus while being ill. "But everyone's good now," he said. "I guess we'll have a healthy focus."

Outside hitter Jim Clar also resumed practicing yesterday. He did not work out Wednesday because of a stomach flu. He also has had a sore right (swinging) arm.

"I couldn't sleep for two nights," Clar said. "I couldn't do anything. I was useless. I feel good now. This is an important time. I want to play bad."

Clar or Joshua Walker will start at the second left-side position.

The Warriors are seeking a berth in the eight-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs. They are in eighth place, at 5-7, with 10 matches remaining. Six of the matches are on the road; the home matches are against Irvine and Brigham Young.

"It's a tough stretch, no question," Wilton said. "Irvine is tough. Everyone in our league is tough."

Schkud, who played for Irvine coach John Speraw's junior national team, said: "The one thing I know is (the Anteaters) will be well led. Speraw is a high-caliber coach who can make anything out of nothing."

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.