Friday, April 3, 1998

Setting is right
for Kuo

UH men's volleyball
setter is the key to the
'Bows' success

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

The science has become an art. The scientist is becoming an artist.

As a backup hitter for the University of Hawaii men's volleyball teams the past two seasons, Mason Kuo took a more analytical approach to playing, concentrating on the mechanics and methodology of the game. It was a by-the-numbers style for Kuo, a double major in accounting and management information systems.

As a junior setter for the fifth-ranked Rainbows, Kuo has learned to express himself. He has discovered a passion he didn't know existed and a confidence he wouldn't have dreamed of even three months ago.

"Setting is a part of the game that I've never really felt before," said Kuo, who took over the starting role from freshman Jorge Perez six weeks ago. "But it's something I'm having fun with. It's like my guitar playing. I started that about a year ago, and when I get interested in something, I spend a lot of time trying to improve and get good at it.

"Setting (full time) is something new, something untapped. I still have lots to improve on, but I've finally figured out it's more of an art instead of a science."

To that end, Kuo is learning to play on instinct, feeling the game instead of thinking about it. His progress has coincided with Hawaii's recent success: The Rainbows have swept UCLA and Stanford (twice) in their last three matches.

"Mason's the kind of guy who'll fill any position that needs to be filled for the success of the team," said Hawaii assistant coach Tino Reyes, a former collegiate setter. "I always thought of him as a setter, that that was his future. We had him spot setting the past two years, and in 20-20 hindsight, I'm glad we did.

"I knew he had the ability, but the problem wasn't what I thought. It was if he thought he could do the job and if his teammates thought he could do the job. I think that on the road trip to San Diego (matches at San Diego State and UC San Diego Feb. 23-27) the team realized if we were going to go far, Mason was going to be the person to get us there."

The Rainbows' hopes of getting to the NCAA Tournament, which will be played at the Stan Sheriff Center next month, literally rest in Kuo's hands. The former part-time setter for McKinley High, whose father set for the Taiwanese state championship team, isn't daunted by the challenge.

"From the time I walked onto the team, I wanted to be in the lineup," said Kuo, a redshirt freshman in 1995. "When I first came, I didn't expect much. I thought if I could make the team, I'd be really happy. Then when I made the team, I didn't think about starting. I wanted to get my foot in first, get some playing time, then hopefully start by this season.

"After last season ended, Coach (Wilton) asked where I wanted to play. I told him setter. I knew we had some other guys coming in. I knew I had to work at it."

Kuo spent the summer improving his skills. As the only setter in fall camp, his confidence improved, too.

"There was no pressure because there was no other setter," said the 6-foot-1 Kuo, who played setter, hitter and middle in high school. "For the first time, I was getting all my reps at one position. I didn't have to worry about playing not to look bad. I knew that even if I was setting bad, I'd still be in there.

"When we beat Pepperdine (twice in the preseason) I started thinking, 'Hey, maybe this is something I can do.' It motivated me."

Kuo, an honors student in high school, had a 4.0 GPA last semester. He's taking classes in accounting and Mandarin Chinese and two in computer systems.

"Grades are important, but I realize I'm learning other stuff in life by playing volleyball," Kuo said. "I'm really glad that Coach gave me the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the nation. All I want to do is play and get better. I can feel myself getting better."

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