A passing grade might determine the Hawai'i volleyball team's starting lineup.

The Warriors have switched to a traditional offense featuring a true opposite attacker. In this scheme, the two left-side hitters are required to pass.

That means third-year sophomore Joshua Walker and freshmen Steven Hunt and Gus Tuaniga will compete for the two left-side positions.

"Ball control is at the top of the order, as far as priorities are concerned," said UH head coach Mike Wilton, whose team plays road matches against Brigham Young Thursday and Friday.

In the usual 5-1 scheme, the opposite attacker has limited passing responsibilities. The opposite usually hits on the right side in the front-row rotations.

From the start of fall training through the first of two matches against Pepperdine the past week, Walker was given the limited-passing role. But instead of playing opposite, Walker was on the left side for the three front-row rotations. He also hit twice from the back right and once from the back middle.

Despite being opposite the setter in the rotation, Tuaniga was used as a primary passer.

But in Friday's rematch against Pepperdine, Tuaniga moved to left-side hitter, third-year sophomore Brennon Dyer started at opposite, and Walker was benched.

For Walker to regain a starting job, he must become a more accurate passer.

Each practice and match, every UH pass is measured on a five-point scale, with "4" being a perfect pass, "3" being a pass in which the setter still can set to the middle, down to "0," which is an ace or overpass.

Wilton acknowledged that Walker is the Warriors' most powerful hitter. Wilton said if Walker can average "2.75 or better" with his passes, "that would work."

Tuaniga averages 3.2. Hunt passes in the high 2s. Walker is in the low 2s.

"Not playing is going to force me to work on my passing," Walker said, "and it's going to make me a better player all around, anyway. It makes us a deeper team. ... I'm going to work on my passing. I'll be back out there. I've got to get better for my team. It's a team effort. If I'm not passing, I'm hurting my team."

Dyer, for now, is the opposite attacker. But his situation is written in chalk.

Jim Clar, the team captain, has not played this season while recovering from a tender right (hitting) rotator cuff. He did not practice yesterday, and his availability is in question for today.

But Clar will make the road trip to Provo, Utah. Wilton said Clar might compete at opposite attacker.

"He's not the biggest, but he's solid," Wilton said of 6-foot-1 Clar. "He's very technical. He's solid as a blocker and as a hitter."

Dyer provides versatility and a serve that he can crank up to 65 mph. Assistant coach Mason Kuo has been working to help Dyer's aim.

"They say my serve is powerful, but I have to bring it under control," Dyer said.

Dyer gets to pass in one of the rotation turns.

"I have confidence to take a ball," Dyer said. "It might not be perfect all of the time."