[ WARRIOR VOLLEYBALL ]
Warriors will try
to cut errors
against BYU
It's all a matter of getting comfortable for two volleyball teams looking to get better.
No. 5 Hawaii practiced for a fifth time with its mixed plate of a lineup yesterday, hoping that its controlled chaos can result in an upset victory.
No. 1 Brigham Young practiced for a second time at the Stan Sheriff Center, getting used to the environs not only for tonight's match but, the Cougars hope, for two more when the NCAA Championships are held here in May.
BYU at Hawaii
When: 7 tonightWhere: Stan Sheriff Center
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5)
Series: BYU leads, 17-13
Both are jockeying for placement in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament. Tonight's match is critical for both.
Brigham Young, on a 15-match winning streak, has already clinched a playoff berth with Thursday's 30-25, 30-25, 28-30, 30-27 win over Hawaii. The Cougars (16-3, 14-1) could further solidify their MPSF Tournament hosting chances with a sweep of the Warriors.
Hawaii (13-6, 10-5) is trying to stay in the top four in order to host a first-round playoff match. A split with BYU would be an impressive accomplishment, given that the Warriors will again start three reserve hitters and a setter whose first start of this season was Thursday.
"I definitely felt we could have won (Thursday) if we had served better and converted on some of our missed opportunities," said senior Kimo Tuyay, who will again replace the ailing Brian Beckwith at setter. "I think if we had gone to five (games), our emotions would have carried us and we might have pulled it off.
"We started playing better at the end. I didn't run the middle as much in the beginning, but then I started getting comfortable setting Mau (middle LaBarre) and Josh (middle Stanhiser). We started connecting pretty well."
LaBarre had three kills in four swings in Game 1, while Stanhiser wasn't set at all. In Game 3, the game the Warriors won, the two combined for seven kills on 11 attempts. Stanhiser ended up with 11 kills and LaBarre eight.
"Getting them involved was key," said Tuyay. "It started opening things up on the outside. We also need to serve better."
Hawaii had 20 service errors, which, in rally scoring, are free points for the opponent. BYU committed 12, about average, according to Cougar coach Tom Peterson.
"I feel like we can miss four a game and still be a good team," said Peterson. "We try for four or less. There's a fine line between serving balls out and keeping people (opponents) out of system with your serve. I thought for the most part we did that. I imagine that Hawaii feels they could have won the match if they'd kept their serves in.
"Overall, we have been getting better and we'd like to get better at playing here. We want to be back in a month and a half so it's important how we play in this arena. To win two here would be huge because to win twice on the road at Hawaii, no matter what the circumstance, doesn't happen every often."
Warrior coach Mike Wilton would be more than happy with a split.
"It would be marvelous," he said, "but what I'm looking for is another great effort. I want us to cut down on some of the unforced errors and see where it takes us.
"We need to work on serving and composure. We were a little bit amped and the guys ran out of gas in Game 4. Hopefully, we'll be a little more composed, still fired up and crazy, but composed."
Hawaii will start the same lineup as Thursday, with LaBarre and Stanhiser in the middle, Tuyay at setter, and Arri Jeschke, Ryan Woodward and Matt Bender at setter. Beckwith will be in uniform tonight, as well as junior setter Daniel Rasay.