Another nonconference opponent. Another chance to get better.

That's how No. 9 Hawaii is looking at its matches with NAIA power Hope International. The Royals (5-3), third-ranked in the NAIA, are loaded with talented international players and anchored by five island prep products, not to mention former Radford boys coach Victor Jennings-Santiago.

“;And you know how all the local boys play well when they come home,”; Warriors coach Charlie Wade said. “;For us, we want to continue to play well, build on what we did in that last match against Alberta (a sweep Saturday).

“;We played at a real high level, made those scramble players, held them off when we had to. That's what we want to continue to build on.”;

While the rest of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation beats up on each other, Hawaii is hanging at 4-4 in the standings. The Warriors return to MPSF play next week when hosting Brigham Young Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center and Saturday at War Memorial Gym in Maui.

Much like BYU, Hope International features older players. Senior All-American libero Noah Casaquit is a 2000 Moanalua graduate and sophomore hitter Kaimi Guerreiro, the Royals' kill leader, graduated from Kalaheo in 2001.

Also playing for Hope are Guerreiro's younger brother Mana (Kalaheo '07), a junior hitter; freshman defensive specialist Kahale Morgan (Kamehameha '09); and sophomore libero Henry Valiente (Farrington '02).

Hope is coming off last week's five-set loss to Cal Baptist, the top-ranked team in the NAIA. Senior Alex Figueiredo, a 6-foot-9 opposite from Brazil, had 24 killsm, 6-6 junior hitter Brett Massetti added 12 kills, and Kaimi Guerreiro finished with 17 digs against the visiting Lancers.

“;They'll be really competitive,”; Wade said. “;And we know they'll be fired up to play us.”;

Post-match concert tomorrow

One of the performers for tomorrow's “;Volley Ka Pila”; is Warrior redshirt freshman setter Kala'e Camarillo (Kamehameha-Maui '09), whose band 'Why Bother' won $5,000, a recording contract and the title at Tom Moffatt's “;Band Champ' last April.

Included in the 70-minute set will be the band's winning song, “;Hey Darci.”;

“;It's an original song about a girl in high school who had a crush on me,”; Camarillo said. “;It started as a joke but people liked it.”;

The concert is included in the cost of ticket for volleyball. Other UH students will be performing.