RAINBOW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Light scrimmage
tomorrow
There will be referees. They'll have the sticks and down indicator. Everyone will be in full pads. But if you're expecting a full-blown scrimmage tomorrow morning at Cooke Field, you will be disappointed.
"It's really going to be like a normal practice, maybe even a little shorter," Rainbows head coach June Jones said yesterday. "We're going to have a 30-play deal, but it's not going to be like a real game scrimmage.
"We'll move the chains and blow the whistle, but it won't be like one side against the other. We just don't have enough healthy bodies for that."
Jones will spend part of tomorrow's practice reviewing film and going over the playbook. He hasn't had the opportunity to spend as much time in meetings as he would like.
Yesterday's practice was a little more heated than previous sessions. This was the first day players were allowed to tackle. There was some of that, albeit limited.
"We had to keep reminding them to keep their feet," Jones said. "I also want to emphasize that we're on the same team. There's no point trying to hurt somebody."
Owen on patrol
Offensive lineman Dustin Owen was the center of attention throughout yesterday's practice.
If he wasn't in the middle of a pile 10 yards down field during team drills, the senior center was challenging defensive linemen to fights during some heated one-on-one sessions.
"Let's just say it was spirited out there," Owen said, then smiled. "I love it. I love football. I like this offense. We're going to pass a lot next season, so we need to learn to protect the quarterback."
Owen has caught the eye of Jones on several occasions this spring.
"I like the kid, his attitude out there," Jones said.
Looking for a QB
Jones said the Rainbows will bring in a high school quarterback next week, who may be interested in attending UH this fall.
"He was a guy some of the bigger schools were looking at, so we didn't think we had a chance at him," Jones said. "But some of those schools fell off of him."
The Rainbows still have two scholarships available for this fall. It's possible a few more could come open if some of the recruits fail to make it in the classroom.
"We wanted at least two quarterbacks, but we didn't want to sign just anybody," Jones said.
Alumni party set
Hawaii will host its inaugural Rainbow Warrior Alumni Paina after practice on April 22.
"There have been so many of the guys call me, wanting to come down and see what we're doing," Jones said. "I haven't had time to meet with them."
For those interested in attending the practice and the party in the Stan Sheriff Center, call 956-6508 and RSVP by April 16.
Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin
RAINBOW VOLLEYBALL PLAYBOOK
Pacific Tigers
Coaches-UOP: Joe Wortman (7th season, 72-99). UH: Mike Wilton (7th season, 134-60).
Season-UOP: 13-7 (9-7 MPSF). UH: 15-8 (8-7 MPSF).
Ranking-UOP: No 12. UH: No. 8.
Series: UH leads, 11-1. The Tigers' lone win came in Stockton on April 5, 1997, in five. Last season, the Rainbows won in straight sets at the Sheriff Center.
Top players: Vladimir Andric (6-8 So. OH) 5.13 kpg, 3.48, 42 aces; Dylan Herrick (6-3 Jr. OH) 4.28 kpg; Darrell Dilmore (6-5 Jr. MB) 1.76 bpg; Dan Fisher (6-6 Sr. S) 17.19 apg, 28 aces, 1.31 bpg; Tim Gerlach (6-4 So. MB) .500..
About the Tigers: UOP has never finished higher than fourth in the MPSF during their past six years in the conference and has a chance to host a first-round playoff match for the first time ... The Tigers have won their last five, and seven of eight, but haven't been tested since March 6 when losing to UC Irvine in four games ... UOP features one of the best blocking setters in the country in 6-6 Fisher ... Andric ranks sixth in the MPSF in ace average while Dilmore is fifth in block average ... As a team, UOP ranks second in blocking, sixth in kill average and seventh in defense, right above Hawaii in those three categories.
About the Rainbows: Hawaii continued its road woes with two losses last week. The Rainbows are now 1-7 away from home ... UH was never in the match at UCLA last Friday, losing in three straight. The Rainbows dominated for most of the match Saturday at UCI but lost in five. They are now 0-2 in five-game matches on the road, 4-0 in five-game matches at home. The loss to the Anteaters was the first after 15 victories ... Coach Mike Wilton continues to tinker with the lineup. Senior setter Mason Kuo has won the job back from sophomore Jorge Perez and senior swing Chris Kosty will also start ahead of Jorge Alifonso tonight as the main passer ...Hawaii is in control of its playoff destiny. In order to finish second in the Pacific Division and host a first-round playoff, the Rainbows will have to win at least three of their four remaining matches. They play UOP twice then finish the home season against Southern Cal with two matches next Friday and Saturday ... UOP and USC are tied for second at 9-7, a half-game ahead of Hawaii in the standings ... Southern Cal is at CSU Northridge tomorrow before traveling to Hawaii while Pacific finishes out the regular season with Stanford on Tuesday ... The top three teams in each of the MPSF divisions qualify for the postseason tournament, as do the next two teams with the best overall records. The only teams assured of a playoff spot are BYU, Pepperdine, UCLA and Long Beach State. The other four berths are up for grabs with Hawaii, UC Irvine, Pacific, Southern Cal and Stanford still in the hunt.
First serve: Today and tomorrow at 4 p.m., Alex Spanos Center, Stockton, Calif.
On the air: Both matches live on KCCN (1420-AM). Also on the internet at http://www.uhathletics.hawaii.edu.
End quote: "Every game is real critical for us," said Hawaii coach Mike Wilton. "The proactive view is that we control our own destiny. Pacific and SC are both very good teams. With Pacific, they're at home and for the first time in their history they're playing matches late in the season that mean something. That's huge for them. How huge it is for our guys, we'll have to see."
