Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Warriors host Bruins in volleyball Saturday
For the fourth time this season, the Hawaii men's volleyball team will take on UCLA at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The No. 7 Bruins (21-12) defeated No. 9 UC Santa Barbara in last night's play-in match of the Mountain Pacific Sport Federation tournament, earning Saturday's quarterfinal spot against the No. 2 Warriors. UCLA won its ninth straight, 28-30, 31-29, 30-23, 30-15, ending the Gauchos' season at 13-16.
Junior Steve Klosterman led UCLA with 22 kills and senior David Russell added 11 kills and five aces. Senior setter Dennis Gonzalez, sidelined since spraining his ankle against Hawaii March 11, replaced freshman Matt Wade in Game 2 and finished with 41 assists.
Hawaii is 2-1 against UCLA this season, losing on the last night of the Outrigger Invitational in five but winning both MPSF matches seven weeks later. The Bruins lead the overall series 45-18.
Hawaii puts its school-record 19-match winning streak on the line in the 7 p.m. match. Tickets are $5-$14.
The Warriors are nearly at full strength as junior setter Brian Beckwith returned after missing Tuesday's practice with a sinus cold. Sophomore middle Kyle Klinger, missing the past eight matches with a broken right toe, has been cleared to practice beginning tomorrow.
Should Hawaii win on Saturday, the Warriors travel to Irvine, Calif., for the April 27 MPSF semifinal against the winner of Saturday's Pepperdine-Cal State Northridge match. The MPSF championship is April 29, with the winner advancing to the final four at Penn State, May 4 and 6.
HSTA Hawaii Open next weekend
The Hawaii Open Sectionals Championships, featuring a $2,000 purse, are set for April 28-30 at the University of Hawaii Tennis Complex.
The tournament is open to Hawaii residents only, with competition in men's and women's singles and doubles. The men's singles champion will win transportation and lodging to compete in the Guam Open in May and also a wild-card berth into the main draw of the Honolulu Futures tournament in November.
Registration is available online at www.hawaii.usta.com. Entry deadline is April 21 at noon.
For information, call the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section at 956-6696, ext. 25.
Rainbow Wahine move up to No. 4
Hawaii is No. 4 this week in the latest National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Top 20.
Now 14-9 and 7-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the Rainbow Wahine are at No. 4 for a second time this season after winning three of four on the road to close out their regular season.
UH plays in the MPSF playoffs at UC Irvine, April 27-30.
Vulcans strand 10 in loss to Texas-Arlington
Hawaii-Hilo fell behind 4-0 and left 10 runners on base yesterday in a 7-4 home loss to Texas-Arlington.
Dayne Ogawa, Michael Higa and Mark Veneri had singles in a second-inning rally, and A.J. Satele doubled and scored in the third, but the Vulcans could never catch the Mavericks.
"We're playing well, getting runners on base and hitting the ball," UH-Hilo coach Joey Estrella said. "The difference is we're not getting the timely hits and they are."
The Vulcans are now 15-31, and host Dallas Baptist tonight.
Mamizuka Manoa Invitational set for next week
The Hawaiian Swimming 26th Annual Harry M. Mamizuka Manoa Invitational is set for April 21-23 at Manoa Valley District Park.
The meet is a Hawaiian Swimming and USA Swimming event.
Entries must be received by tomorrow. For information call Nadine Owen at 373-7199 or e-mail nadine@owenohana.com.