The University of Hawai'i-Hilo volleyball team arrived earlier than expected with a stunning 2007 season that included a 14-0 conference season (23-5 overall), an outright PacWest championship and a sweep of the major postseason awards.

Don't expect them to take off any time soon.

Led by second-year head coach Dr. Bruce Atkinson — the architect of last year's remarkable 11-match conference turnaround — the Vulcans return every key player and welcome an impressive crop of newcomers.

"It's just one match at a time," Atkinson said. "We've talked a lot about the fact that last year was last year and this year is this year. HPU has brought in a lot of talent and once they get going they're going to be tough. BYUH is always very tough."

Hilo is already off to a strong 6-2 start, with its only losses delivered at the hands of No. 10 Florida Southern and No. 21 Chico State.

The Vulcans knocked off Colorado School of Mines, 3-1, yesterday.

Leading the way has been junior middle hitter Fabiane Seben, the reigning conference player of the week, who is averaging 3.14 points per game. Last week, Seben, a native of Caxias do Sul, Brazil, hit .241 with 43 kills to go along with 28 blocks and 11 service aces.

Fellow Brazilian Josimara Pinheiro, a junior outside hitter, has also played well, totaling 70 kills, eight block assists, one solo block and five aces in the first week of play.

Australian Emily Tooker, the new starter at setter, leads the conference with 9.15 assists per game. She tallied 51 assists in last night's victory.

"We're nowhere near where we need to be to win in the PacWest," Atkinson said. "We're going through similar growing pain as last year, but we're steadily improving game by game."

That's scary news for the rest of the conference.

GEIS ON A ROLL

Vulcan forward Drew Geis was named the PacWest Men's Soccer Player of the Week after notching three goals and an assist in UH-Hilo's opening week.

The junior forward for Kapolei is the early PacWest statistical leader in in goals, points (7) and shots on goal (15).

The Vulcans are off to a conference-best 3-1 start, thanks in part to Geis' game-winning goals versus Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona.

The Vulcans have also gotten solid play from midfielder George Ichimaru, forward Carlos Lopes, and goal keepers Ivan Mercado and Dane Kaylor.