DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Delano Thomas finished the season second in blocking (1.34 per game) in the MPSF, behind 2002 AVCA Player of the Year Brad Keenan of Pepperdine.
When Delano Thomas was a sophomore in high school, it wasn't just his raw potential and leaping ability that caught the eye of Hawaii associate coach Tino Reyes at the Junior Olympics.
Delano Thomas brings
some excitement to UHBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comThomas was playing for a club called High Voltage, and the team's not-too-attractive uniforms had huge thunderbolts plastered across the front of the jerseys. It was the uniforms that left the longest impression.
"That thing was ugly. They stood out," Reyes said. "We tried to forget that high voltage theme. It was horrendous, that uniform. We didn't know anything about these guys except to keep an eye on that big guy (Thomas)."
Two years after Reyes' initial sighting, Thomas entered Hawaii as an unpolished gem. By the end of his freshman season, the 6-foot-7 middle blocker led Hawaii in hitting percentage and was named a freshman All-American.
Thomas was an essential part of the Warriors' national championship run last year. He sparkled in the postseason, hitting .505 and getting more than a block a game.
Who: No. 7 Pacific at No. 2 Hawaii MPSF playoffs
When: Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
TV: Live, KFVE
Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM
Tickets: Available at the Stan Sheriff Center or TicketMaster outlets (526-4400 or ticketmaster.com). Lower level $12, Upper level adult $9, Senior Citizen (65 and over) $8, Students (4-18 or UH students with ID) $5.
"He didn't hit his stride until coming out (to Hawaii). The upside for him is great," Reyes said. " I talked with (U.S. national team coach) Doug Beal last summer. He's got as much physical ability as any middle blocker in this country, including any of the guys on the national team.
"He was an integral part of the national championship. I got to believe he was as good a second middle blocker as there was in the country."
If all goes well this postseason, the sophomore's thunderous hitting could have the Warriors slipping another ring onto their fingers.
Second-ranked Hawaii begins the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs tomorrow against seventh-ranked Pacific. The winner of the MPSF tournament receives the automatic bid to next month's NCAA championship.
"He didn't really know much about the game last year," said Warriors outside hitter Tony Ching. "He was a young player, but he's talented and gifted. That was a big part of the weaknesses we had before. We always had a solid middle, but it wasn't like two All-American caliber middles like Dejan (Miladinovic) and Delano.
"He does it all. He serves, he blocks, he hits. He's just an unstoppable player at the net, and that's what we needed. It's all part of his potential. He's gotten a lot more consistent, which is the biggest improvement he made."
Improvement has been a constant theme in his life. Thomas picked up the sport quickly after trying out for his high school team on a friend's dare.
The multi-sport athlete (Thomas lettered in volleyball, soccer and basketball) spurned offers to play collegiate basketball after getting hooked on volleyball.
"Volleyball is my love. I had more fun playing volleyball than any other sport, so that's what I chose to do in college," said the soft-spoken Thomas. "I love contact (sports). I just had more fun playing volleyball, and I've been more successful at it too.
"I went on my first recruiting trip here and I loved it. The other schools didn't start calling me until a whole semester later."
By then it was too late. The Oakland, Calif., native already had an appreciation for island living. His father, Vanneto, was from the British Virgin Islands, and every other summer was spent there with his cousins and grandparents.
Thomas' familiarity with life on an island didn't make the initial transition to college any easier. He was bothered by academic problems and bouts of homesickness.
Though not academically ineligible, he missed several Hawaii road trips because his academic life wasn't in order. Not being able to travel with the team depressed him, and Thomas considered leaving school.
"It was a brief thing when a lot of stuff in my life was kind of down," he said. "I didn't tell anyone. I got over it."
The Warriors are glad he did. Thomas returned to fall camp, fresh off a stint with the U.S. Junior National Team. He was named the best attacker in the Continental Volleyball Championship as the U.S. took home a bronze medal.
Many predicted a breakout season this year and Thomas has delivered. He finished ranked seventh in the MPSF in hitting percentage (.421) and second in blocking (1.34 per game) behind Pepperdine's Brad Keenan, the 2002 AVCA Player of the Year.
At times his power has been breathtaking. When Thomas is on his game, he leaps well above opposing teams' blocks to crush balls. The sophomore has also added a bit of craftiness to his hitting.
"Delano is the only person I don't flinch at, but I second-guess getting hit in the head," Hawaii libero Jake Muise said. "Everybody else you get hit in the head with, you shake off. The middle ball ... Delano is scary with it. If Kimo (Tuyay) gives him the right set, it's gone."
Thomas could see an expanded offensive role next year. The Warriors will need a terminating back-row attacker after Theocharidis completes his eligibility this season. The job could be his if he can improve his defense enough to play all the way around.
"I love playing defense," Thomas said. "I love playing back-row defense. I haven't played a high level of volleyball without a libero. I wouldn't really know about playing in the back row. If it were up to me, I would stay in."
Note: Thomas sat out last Saturday's match and missed practice earlier this week because of tightness in his lower back. He practiced the last few days and said he expected to play tomorrow.
UH Athletics
