UH’s Thomas to stay home
when team goes to China

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Hawaii middle blocker Delano Thomas will not make the team's trip to China. Thomas did not fulfill academic obligations and will miss exhibition matches against the Shanghai Oriental men's volleyball team. Thomas is in good academic standing but did not meet team requirements.

The 6-foot-7 sophomore looks to be an emerging force for the Warriors this season and would have contributed on this trip. In UH's intersquad match, Thomas hammered a match-high 23 kills. Against the alumni, he led all hitters again with 12 kills.

It is not the first time Thomas has been left at home. Last spring, he missed two of Hawaii's road trips for the same reasons.

Hawaii assistant coach Tino Reyes said that Pedro Azenha will play middle during the trip. The 6-6 Brazilian is an outside hitter that coaches hope will fill the shoes of senior Costas Theocharidis after he completes his eligibility this season.

The Warriors leave on Friday for the trip.

Vans Triple Crown waiting for waves

The 20th Vans Triple Crown of Surfing officially got under way today as the waiting period for the opening men's and women's events started.

Head-high waves were too small to start the Vans Hawaiian Pro men's contest and the Roxy Pro women's contest at Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa.

The holding period ends Nov. 23 for the two events, which need four days of good surf to complete.

Forecasters predicted a rise in swell for today.

The men's Triple Crown moves to Sunset Beach for the Rip Curl Cup from Nov. 24 to Dec. 7 and then on to Pipeline for the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters, which runs Dec. 8-20.

The women's Triple Crown moves up the North Shore for the Turtle Bay Resort Women's Pro from Nov. 24 to Dec. 7 and then on to the Valley Isle for the Billabong Pro Maui at Honolua Bay, which runs Dec. 8-20.

A men's and women's world champion will be determined in the Triple Crown contests.

Nevada to host '05 WAC tournament

The Western Athletic Conference has approved Nevada as the site of the 2005 WACmen's and women's basketball tournament.

The tournament will be played March 8-12 at the 11,200-seat LawlorEvents Center.

It will be the first basketball tournament that Nevada has hosted in the WAC, although the school did host the BigWest event five times.

Fresno State recently was named host of the 2004WAC tournament. This season's event is at Tulsa,Okla. The Hawaii Rainbows have won the past two tournaments, both in Tulsa.

HPU beats up Billings in 3 sets again

Hawaii Pacific swept past Montana State-Billings yesterday in a nonconference volleyball match in Billings, Mont.

HPU(14-8) beat MSBU (9-18) in three games for the second straight day, 30-15, 30-27, 30-25.

Senior SusyGarbelotti recorded her 11th double-double this season, with 18 kills and 15 digs. She added six blocks and five aces.

HPU closes its regular season against Brigham Young-Hawaii on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's.

Vulcans lose in five: Hawaii-Hilo finished its season by falling to Western New Mexico 30-23, 30-20, 30-24 in Silver City, N.M.

Tiffanie Ollison led the Vulcans (8-18, 3-7 Pacific West) with 10 kills and 21 digs against WNMU(19-14, 3-7).