RAINBOW VOLLEYBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. UCLA Bruins
First serve: Tomorrow and Friday, 7 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center. Only Friday's match counts in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings.
Coaches: Hawaii: Mike Wilton, 8th season (148-68). UCLA: Al Scates, 38th season (985-157).
Season: No. 5 Hawaii (10-6, 5-5 MPSF); No. 3 UCLA (19-3, 10-3 MPSF).
Series record: The Bruins lead, 35-9, including a five-game victory Jan. 28 in the Outrigger Hotels Invitational final.
Probable starters: Hawaii, Torry Tukuafu (6-5 Jr. MB, 2.82 kpg, .445 pct., 1.30 bpg), Brenton Davis (6-5 Jr. MB, 2.42 kpg, 1.98 bpg), Russell Lockwood (6-0 Sr. S, 50 assists, 6 blocks Sat. vs. Pepperdine), Clay Stanley (6-9 Jr. OH, 5.86 kpg, 1.69 dpg, 35 aces), Tony Ching (6-2 Fr. OH, 1.81 kpg, 1.27 dpg, 1.08 bpg), Costas Theocharidis (6-2 Fr. OH, seventh in nation 6.20 kpg, .382 pct., 2.07 dpg), Eyal Zimet (6-2 Fr. L, 1.96 dpg). UCLA, Seth Burnham (6-7 Sr. Q, 3.68 kpg, .413 pct., 1.62 bpg), Cameron Mount (6-8 Fr. Q, 3.26 kpg), Brandon Taliaferro (6-5 Sr. S, All-American has 6,059 career assists), Matt Komer (6-7, So. OH, 3.68 kpg, .303 pct., 1.68 dpg), Mark Williams (6-7, Jr. OH, 3.95 kpg, .343 pct.), Evan Thatcher (6-8, Sr. OP, 4.19 kpg, .307 pct., 1.56 dpg), Matt Davis (6-4, Sr. L, 3.32 dpg).
Facts: The Bruins are so deep that Ed Ratledge, who pounded 43 kills to lead UCLA past Hawaii in January, often comes off the bench - as he did in that match. ... Like UH, UCLA's lineup is not set. Greg Coon could start for Burnham, and Scott Morrow could start instead of Mount. ... Hawaii comes off a win against then-No. 1 Pepperdine on Saturday after losing to the Waves on Friday. If the Rainbows split against the Bruins, they would much prefer to win tomorrow than Saturday - UH has lost its last three league matches and stands fourth in the MPSF Pacific Division. ... UCLA is on an eight-match winning streak. Stanley led UH with 34 kills against UCLA in January. Theocharidis had 13 digs, and Tukuafu was in on 12 kills.
Injury report: Zimet underwent an MRI test yesterday to determine the extent of the injury to his lower back. But Wilton said he should be available to start at libero - he is just unable to jump-serve or spike. ... Theocharidis appears to have recovered from last week's bout with an intestinal ailment. ... Setter Stefan Krejci's ankle is healed, but Wilton indicated yesterday that Lockwood had won the starting job, at least for now.
Wilton's words: "The team is really responding to (Lockwood's) presence (at setter). He's speeding it up, giving the hitters good swings. His location's really good and they're confident in him. He's running the offense well and spreading the sets around."
On the air: Both matches on KFVE TV Channel 5. No radio.
Tickets: $5-$9.
By Dave Reardon, Star-Bulletin
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
