Tuesday, February 19, 2002
When a team loses four of six starters from the previous year, you usually think it's a rebuilding team, but that's not how Hawaii coach Mike Wilton sees the Long Beach State volleyball team. Warriors won’t
take 49ers lightlyBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.com"This is a dangerous team," Wilton said. "They have size. They've just made a lineup change. I don't think they liked the production they were getting out of one outside hitting spot. They have the same setter. They've got good size.
"I like both their middles. They get set a lot. They're way bigger than we are. We're taking them seriously. Long Beach, year in and year out, is a real good program. We're going to have to be real precise with passing and serving."
The size and force of the 49ers will be showcased as No. 3 Hawaii plays No. 13 Long Beach State tomorrow and Friday at 7 p.m.
The 49ers have a different look after three starters completed their eligibility last season. Long Beach lost All-Americans David McKienzie and Matt Prosser and four-year starter Jim Polster.
In spite of the massive losses, Long Beach boasts a taller lineup. And it returns the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation's co-freshman of the year in Scott Touzinsky.
The 6-foot-7 sophomore leads the attack for the 49ers with 3.74 kills per game. The outside hitter is also the Beach's best server with 26 aces.
Setter Mark Ekins has connected well with 6-8 middles Tim May and David Lee. And Long Beach's lineup change could prove key in the long run. Senior Nick Marbach moved to the outside and led the team in hitting its last two matches.
Hawaii had a full week of practice --and rest for those that needed it -- after wins against UC San Diego 10 days ago. Most of the Warriors' starters participated in full practices except for middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic, who rested and rehabbed a sore right shoulder. And a few other players recovered from colds that plagued them since their first road trip.
"We had a pretty long break before we went out on that road trip. I thought that it served us well," Wilton said. "This break is serving us pretty well. We're growing as a team.
"We're going to put the cake in the oven. We're going to finish up with one last good practice. We've had a good week of practice. The effort has been great. I'm hopeful that our players will realize this is our last two home games for quite awhile."
Note: Eighth-ranked Stanford's upset of top-ranked UCLA last Saturday propelled the idle Warriors into first place in the conference. Hawaii is the only team undefeated in conference play and could move up to first place in the polls. The Volleyball Magazine and AVCA coaches' poll were both set to be released today.
When: 7 p.m. tomorrow and Friday Gameday
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5)
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.comNotes: Despite being idle in MPSF play, Hawaii moved to the top of the conference standings when UCLA lost to Stanford over the weekend. ...Long Beach State has a 25-23 advantage in the all-time series. The 49ers beat the Warriors in four at Long Beach last year when Kimo Tuyay and Costas Theocharidis were absent from the lineup because of illness. ...The 49ers reserve middle blocker Yassir Sliti initially committed to Hawaii last year before changing his mind and enrolling at Long Beach.
HAWAII (9-2, 6-0) Probable starting lineups
Ht. KPG Aces Digs S Kimo Tuyay (So.) 6-2 .37 1 53 MB Dejan Miladinovic (Sr.) 6-7 2.33 1 11 MB Brian Nordberg (Jr.) 6-5 1.81 3 4 OH Costas Theocharidis (Jr.) 6-3 5.39 8 69 OH Jose Delgado (Fr.) 6-3 2.83 4 54 OH Eyal Zimet (Jr.) 6-2 2.49 4 63 L Vernon Podlewski (Sr.) 5-8 N/A N/A 81 LONG BEACH STATE (6-8, 4-4)
Ht. KPG Aces Digs S Mark Ekins (Jr.) 6-5 .29 1 47 MB Tim May (Sr.) 6-8 3.12 5 17 MB David Lee (So.) 6-8 2.17 1 18 OH Scott Touzinsky (So.) 6-7 3.74 26 79 OH Nick Marbach (Sr.) 6-9 .85 5 21 OH Jeff Wootton (So.) 6-5 2.88 12 82 L Kelly Caldwell (So.) 6-2 N/A N/A 83
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