Saturday, October 20, 2001
[ UH WARRIOR VOLLEYBALL ]
Older, wiser and somewhat grayer, the Hawaii men's volleyball alumni team showed the 2001-02 edition that you can teach old dogs new tricks. Alumni put up a fight
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comRolling over for the younger, taller varsity wasn't one of them. The scrappy alums hung tough, holding leads in each game, before succumbing, 30-25, 30-16, 30-28, at the Stan Sheriff Center last night.
A studio audience crowd of 887 saw the Warrior newcomers, particularly junior transfer Brian Nordberg, turn in impressive debuts. The 6-foot-7 middle, an all-conference performer last spring at UC Santa Barbara, put down a match-high 16 kills.
"I thought for only being in the gym for two months together, we looked pretty good," said Nordberg, who received his release from the Gauchos and is eligible to play immediately. "I love the fans here. I just want to bring some energy."
Nordberg energized his team in Game 2, putting down seven kills with two blocks and an ace. Three of those kills came during a 6-0 run, as the Warriors pulled away to a 14-6 lead and weren't seriously threatened the rest of the way.
The alumni, with eight players and no real middle blockers, looked like they might pull out Game 3. With player-coach Malu Sagiao (1978-81) setting, the alums jumped out to leads of 20-16 and 22-19.
The Warriors, getting strong play from Costas Theocharidis and tough serving by Eyal Zimet, broke a 25-25 tie with three straight points.
Alum Aaron Wilton, still able to elicit teen-idol shrieks from the younger fans, had a kill and a block to pull his team to 29-28.
But sophomore Jake Muise got a kind net roll for the match-winner for the varsity.
"I thought our new guys did a nice job," said UH coach Mike Wilton. "I liked our team last year and I really like our team this year. Kimo (sophomore setter Tuyay) looks real good and the fans will see a new Kimo this year, stronger and even better."
Among the other newcomers who played well were freshmen Jose Delgado, a 6-3 hitter from Puerto Rico, and Delano Thomas, a 6-7 middle from Sacramento.
"The varsity looked good," said Sagiao. "Kimo is an excellent setter and No. 16 (Nordberg) is deceptively quick for his size.
"We didn't have much, especially in the middle. If Torry had been with us, maybe it would have made a little bit of a difference."
Torry Tukuafu, a 6-6 middle from last year's team, left for the mainland earlier this week to attend his stepfather's funeral.
Aaron Wilton led the alumni with 12 kills while Troy Hotz had eight and Sivan Leoni 7. Russell Lockwood had a match-high nine digs.
For the varsity, Dejan Miladinovic was in on 8 blocks and Tuyay 6. "It was fun," said Leoni, now the varsity boys volleyball coach at Kalaheo High.
The fans had fun with the gregarious Leoni, continuing to grunt along with the 6-5 blocker whenever he jump-served.
In the preliminary "old-timers" match, the White defeated the Green, 25-18, 21-25, 15-7.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
