Some of the fear has to do with the actual flight, said Honolulu-born Lindy Vivas, the Bulldogs' coach. Some of it has to do with thoughts of facing the high-flying Wahine.
"I have some kids who don't like to fly and this is the longest airplane ride they've ever been on," said Vivas, whose Bulldogs bring a 10-2 record into the Special Events Arena. "But this will be a good experience for us all the way around. I'm excited about playing Hawaii, the best team in the country. It's exciting to have a team like that in our league.
"Plus the fans are so great. This will be the first time for our team to play in front of a crowd that big. We'll have to play a career match all the way around if we're going to have a chance."
Fresno State, coming off a 3-2 win over Santa Clara Tuesday night, has not fared well against ranked teams this season. Both of the Bulldogs' losses were to Top 15 teams in straight sets two weeks ago: UC Santa Barbara (15-6, 15-4, 15-5) and Long Beach State (15-6, 15-0, 15-4).
"We're about where I thought we would be," said Vivas, a Punahou graduate who played on Southern Cal's 1976 national championship team. "We've won the matches we should have. We didn't win against UCSB and Long Beach State but playing those kinds of teams helps us.
"Playing Hawaii is the same thing. We're focusing on what we do well on our side of the net and want to accomplish some goals in terms of ball control, serving and passing. If we can do that, then we'll find some good things happening."
The Bulldogs' serving has made bad things happen on the other side of the net. Fresno State leads the WAC in service aces with 84 and has three players in the WAC's Top 10: Diana Nalbandian (17), Tricia Tuley (16) and Jessica Toya (15).
"They'll be the best serving team we've faced so far," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "They've scored a lot of points on serves, which is always a concern."
The Wahine's health concerns are minimal this week. Senior blocker Angelica Ljungquist practiced without her contact lenses the past two days, due to an infection in her left eye, but will play against the Bulldogs and in Saturday's 2 p.m. match with San Jose State.
Senior hitter Joselyn Robins is expected back after spraining her left ankle against Rhode Island Sept. 5. Sophomore hitter Kelli Cordray (shin bruise) is also listed as probable.
"I figure anyone Hawaii puts in will be good, solid all the way around," Vivas said. "And their defense is so good. It really wears on a team. No matter how well you're playing, when the ball's coming back, it's going to get to you.
"I'm excited for our middles, who are probably the best group I've had here (in six years). Angelica is just so dang good and our middles need the challenge, need to see what some of the top players can do."
Shoring up the Bulldogs' middle is 6-foot senior Debbie Davis, named the WAC player of the week on Monday. Davis hit .321 with 18 blocks in Fresno State's three wins last weekend.
On Saturday, the Wahine play San Jose State (4-6). The tough turnaround for Hawaii is to avoid a conflict with the Rainbow football game Saturday night and also because the Spartans don't play on Sunday, partially in deference to coach Craig Choate's religious beliefs.
"There are two conference travel pairings that don't have Sunday games," said WAC deputy commissioner Margie McDonald, who drew up the schedule. "It's BYU-Utah and Fresno State-San Jose State. The scheduling was a hassle because the conference coaches were split on whether they wanted a day between matches or have them played on two consecutive days."
Shoji was not happy that his team will have less than 24 hours to recover.
"With football and San Jose State not playing on Sunday, we had no other option except to go at 2 p.m.," he said.
What: Western Athletic Conference volleyball
Tomorrow: UH vs. Fresno State, 7 p.m.
Saturday: UH vs. San Jose State, 2 p.m.
Where: Special Events Arena
Broadcasts: Both matches live on KCCN AM-1420. Fresno State match live on KFVE. No TV Saturday.