Warrior volleyball ohana
returns to full strengthThe team's four suspended players
are back and will have to compete
to re-earn their spots
It was, as Kimo Tuyay says, like having the family back together again.
"It's good to have them back," the co-captain of the Hawaii volleyball team said.
The Warrior ohana regained four players in time for yesterday morning's practice in Gym 1. Outside hitters Pedro Azenha, Jose Delgado and Delano Thomas, and middle Dio Dante were reinstated after meeting individually with UH coach Mike Wilton prior to practice.
The four were suspended March 13 following an undisclosed incident on March 9, the final night of the team's last road trip. The infraction was a violation of team rules and "that's all a done deal now," Wilton said. "We've heard their apologies. There are such things as words and things as actions. The action phase will tell. We'll see how they'll fly."
Thomas started every match prior to the suspension, playing in all 69 games. Delgado played in 61 games and Azenha, who missed two matches due to injury, played in 59 games. Their roles have changed, as they will now have to re-earn the spots held by Matt Bender, Arri Jeschke and Ryan Woodward.
"Just maybe there is somebody playing where they used to who is almost integral to our success right now through play and attitude," Wilton said. "It means we need to look at some different kinds of things and give them the opportunity to help out at other positions to increase their ability to help the team.
"We had some synergy (against BYU last week). That product was greater than the sum of the parts and I think it can get a lot better. These guys who are coming back have to deal with that and understand that.
"They might be lighting it up with their play on the other side of the net, but what we're looking for are people who elevated the level of the play around them. Whether that message is understood we'll see by the actions on the court."
An ankle injury to Mauli'a LaBarre during warm-ups put Thomas on the side with most of last week's starters during yesterday's first game at practice. Jeschke, who tweaked his left ankle on Saturday, was on crutches.
"We'll see what kind of energy and fire they have now," Jeschke said of the returnees.
Thomas just nodded when someone said, "Welcome back."
Azenha put down his first swing. His teammates cheered the point.
Jake Muise had a kill for the other side. They cheered the point.
It was a typical scrimmage. After a 10-day timeout session, the Warrior volleyball family was back together.
Hawaii (13-7) next plays host to Cal Baptist, the NAIA's No. 1 team, this Friday and Saturday. The Lancers (14-2) have won their last 14 and have wins over NCAA Division I teams Lewis, USC and Princeton.
Cal Baptist opened the season with losses at UC Irvine in five and at Long Beach State in four. The Lancers play at UC Santa Barbara tonight before making the trip to Hawaii.
Lancer head coach Ryan McGuyre is married to former Rainbow Wahine player Jennifer Roberts (1996-99). McGuyre also coaches the Cal Baptist women's team with his wife as his assistant.