Hawaii middle blocker Delano Thomas has rejoined the volleyball team. Thomas returns
for Warriors’ homestandBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comAfter missing the Warriors' last two road trips, Thomas fulfilled his academic obligations and has been cleared to play in this weekend's matches against UC Irvine.
"We met with the advisors (Monday), and he did what he was supposed to do," Hawaii coach Mike Wilton said. "It's always good having the big kid back. He was pretty effective in practice today.
"He definitely adds some dimensions. Against certain kinds of teams, his value becomes even more pronounced. Against large teams like UCLA and Pepperdine, his value very much increases."
Hawaii went 3-3 without him, losing twice to Pepperdine, winning twice against Cal State Northridge and splitting with UC Santa Barbara.
Thomas said that he listened to the Warriors' match against the Waves on the radio the first night but stopped listening the second night after Hawaii dropped the first game.
"I'm just glad to be back," the freshman said. "I'm very excited to (be back in uniform soon)."
Though Wilton says leaving Thomas behind may have cost the Warriors a bit in team performance, in some ways Thomas may have been better off remaining at home.
Three trips in three weeks to California took its toll on the team yesterday in practice.
"We started at nine o'clock, and in looking at them, I kind of drastically changed practice," Wilton said. "We looked a little out of it. They were going hard, but we were making just a lot of oh-yeah-this-is-volleyball (mistakes). But it was good what we did today."
The Warriors looked tired and some players weren't sure if they were coming or going with the jet lag.
"Coming back was hard for a lot of the road trips," freshman Jose Delgado said. "Hopefully, we rest up this week."
There will be some rest for the weary with spring break this week, but two matches with the Anteaters loom on Friday and Saturday.
UH Athletics
