RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM ILLUSTRATION: BRYANT FUKUTOMI / BFUKUTOMI@STARBULLETIN.COM Freshmen Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders have been a winning combination for the Rainbow Wahine.

2 become 1

Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders
come from different worlds, but
the two freshmen have come together
to fill unbeaten Hawaii's needs
in the middle

Twins separated at birth?

Parallel universes suddenly intersecting?

Zygomorphism at its separate but equal best?

WAC Volleyball Today: Fresno State (12-11, 5-6) at No. 2 Hawaii (20-0, 10-0), 7 p.m. Where: Stan Sheriff Center TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5). Radio: Live, KKEA (1420-AM). Tickets: $3-$16. Series: Hawaii leads 33-0

Perhaps there is no explanation as to why 1 + 1 = 1 for the Hawaii volleyball team this season. But that is what has happened with 6-foot-2 Rainbow Wahine freshman middles Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders.

They complement and compliment each other's game -- Gregory a better defender, Sanders more explosive on offense.

Gregory is a daughter of the desert from Las Vegas. Sanders is a sistah of the sea from Oahu.

Opposites do attract in this case. And the two have become best friends as well as seemingly interchangeable in the middle depending on what Hawaii needs in a particular situation.

"It's nice to know that if we're in a bind, either on offense or defense, one of us can come in and get that needed sideout," Gregory said as the No. 2 Wahine put their perfect records (20-0 overall, 10-0 Western Athletic Conference) on the line tonight against Fresno State (12-11, 5-6). "We bring totally different things to the court. I'm more defensive with the block, she's bigger on offense.

"What's really nice is that this has made us stronger. We know there's a future for both of us. Neither of us is playing to our potential. Next year, we hope we'll be out there together."

This is no "Twins" with an unlikely pairing of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. This is a case of two athletic volleyball players raised an ocean apart but sharing a passion to excel in the sport.

Even if it means sharing playing time. There may be no "I" in team, but there is a "we."

"If she's in the game, I'll tell her what she needs to do," Sanders said. "She does the same for me. It works out really well. As long as the other person is doing well, it doesn't matter who is in there.

"Both of us get equal amount of times and there's no hard feelings. I love it when Kari plays well. The important thing is to have whoever is doing better on that particular night out there."

Statistically, they are fairly even. Gregory averages 1.87 kills per game, hits .244; Sanders averages 1.76 kpg, hits .233.

The difference has been in blocking, where Gregory doubles her edge, 1.46-0.71. But now that Sanders has recovered from an early ankle injury, the gap has narrowed in conference play, 1.29-0.75.

"It's turned out where we're getting them both some pretty good playing time, which they both need," Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. "But on the other hand, neither one of them has been the answer to the position. It's unfair to expect that either of them was going to be a slam-dunk choice as a starter. Neither one was ready to play on a full-time basis.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Freshmen Kari Gregory against Boise State ...

"They're different types of players and they present different problems for the other teams. It seems to be working. One starts, gives us something, then midway in the match, whether by design or necessity, the other comes in and gives us a lift.

"What I appreciate is their attitude. From day to day, they don't know who will start or who will come off the bench. There's been nothing negative about the situation and they've been very supportive of each other. They're both going to be very good players. The plan is to have them both in the lineup next year."

The two roomed together last year, sharing the ups and downs of being freshman redshirts. The big upside was Gregory being drawn into the Sanders' ohana and local lifestyle.

"She's shown me the Hawaiian culture," the 20-year-old Gregory said. "I'm really close to my family and when I lost my grandfather over the summer ... it's nice having her grandparents here. I call them grandpa and grandma. It's nice being part of their family.

"From her I'm learning to be a little more carefree in life, not to get down on yourself. She is so 'Whatever. Just move on.'"

And Sanders knows how to inspire confidence. She's very comfortable in the water and on Tuesday held Gregory's hand at Sandy Beach during a bodysurfing session.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM ... and Juliana Sanders against Eastern Washington, have helped UH go 20-0.

"She's progressing very well," said Sanders, who turns 19 today. "I'm very proud of her. She brings me so much joy. We're sisters, long-lost sisters.

"Kari has taught me to be more patient. She brings out my feminine side, helps me dress a little nicer, does my hair and makeup. I teach her about being a little more of a tomboy. It's a good tradeoff."

They are as different as their respective Halloween costumes. Gregory was a butterfly, Sanders a walking posterboard on which others could write messages.

They are as different as how they eat their rice. One with butter, sugar and cinnamon, the other always with shoyu.

Gregory is coming around to pidgin and Sanders' saying, "Where you stay?" Sanders is acquiring a taste for spaghetti squash.

And on the court 1 + 1 = 1.

Notes: The parking structure on lower campus will be open for tonight's match at the Sheriff Center. However, the escalators and all elevators are out of commission. Those needing disability access should park on the third floor, where there is a pedestrian ramp to the arena ... Former Wahine All-American setter Robyn Ah Mow-Santos will head to Switzerland next week to discuss playing for one of the country's A-1 pro teams. The two-time Olympian played in Italy last season.