Exhibitions could
serve as auditions

If this were international soccer, these would be considered "friendlies."

Warriors will be short 3 players University of Hawaii men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton announced yesterday that three players will not take part in the upcoming exhibition matches against the University of Pacific. Wilton said 6-foot-6 junior outside hitter Pedro Azenha and 6-8 sophomore middle blocker Dionisio Dante were suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules. Wilton wouldn't comment on the rules that were broken. Delano Thomas was also ruled ineligible for the fall semester. The 6-8 senior outside hitter won't miss any regular-season games because the team doesn't play until January, but he won't take part in the four-match interisland exhibition series that begins tomorrow night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

They are exhibition matches without implications in World Cup standings or points. Just "partidos amistosos" as they're called in Spanish.

When the men's volleyball teams from Hawaii and Pacific meet over the next four nights, the exhibitions won't mean anything in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings. However, the four-islands-in-four-nights tour will have long-term implications for those vying for starting jobs when the real season does open in two months.

"We want to find out which players are going to compete the best and who wants to win," UOP coach Joe Wortmann said. "As the coach, I want to see our players play free and without fear."

Both Wortmann and Hawaii coach Mike Wilton expect to use numerous lineups and their entire rosters. Both coaches say that there are healthy, competitive battles going on for all positions.

The Warriors headed into today's practice with a question mark at starting setter. Senior Daniel Rasay held the edge over sophomore Brian Beckwith, but both are expected to play in tomorrow's 7 p.m. opener.

Junior Matt Bender appears to have nailed down the opposite position and junior Maulia LaBarre and redshirt freshman transfer Jake Schkud the middle spots. There is a three-way battle for the two left-side slots between junior returnees Jose Delgado and Matt Carere, and Finnish newcomer Lauri Hakala.

At libero, junior Alfred Reft is being pushed by sophomore Eric Kalima and "Alfred is winning a close race," Wilton said. "But Kalima looks good, he has really improved his game."

Wortmann also has his battles.

"At this time, I expect 10-12 players to be ready to be on the court at any time," he said. "The positions of outside hitter and middle blocker have the most players competing for playing time.

"What I like is our experience and talent. They are learning to compete as a whole and not individually."

Both the Warriors and Tigers are looking to improve their standing from last season. Hawaii finished sixth in the MPSF at 13-9, 17-12 overall; UOP (10-19) missed out on the eight-team playoff after finishing ninth at 6-16.

This will be the first opportunity for the Warriors to go against another team. The Tigers are 2-0 in preseason, with 3-1 wins over UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine.

"The main reason we asked Pacific to come over was they have a lot of returnees and a lot of good players," said Wilton, whose team beat UOP twice last season in Stockton, Calif. "We know they've beaten up on some teams in preseason but who knows what it means. We do know they've been playing a bunch of people and that's exactly what we plan on doing when they come here.

"Since we started, I think we've seen the most progress on team defense. And transition is very good, digging or getting touches off the block, keeping it in play so our hitters can take a swing at it."

The Tigers have been stressing overall skills for all players.

"Our middles have not only been working hard at blocking and hitting but also setting and defense," Wortmann said. "Our outsides have been passing, passing, passing, serving and hitting all types of sets.

"Under new assistant coach Dan Fisher, the setters have improved tremendously in their game."

Fisher, the Tigers' team captain in 1998, was an All-MPSF setter. He began his career at Hawaii.

UOP has two other Hawaii connections in senior hitter Bryson Metz (Kamehameha) and senior opposite Brian Zodrow (Saint Louis).

"We're expecting the two of them to be team leaders," Wortmann said. "Specifically, Bryson is expected to be a good passer, great blocker and a hitter who helps the team score. Brian is expected to score points, serving, blocking but especially as an attacker. He is going to have a fantastic year.

We are delighted to be able to come over to the islands and play. It's an honor for our program to be invited to play against such a good team and in front of such great fans. I am very happy for all our players, but especially for Brian Zodrow, Bryson Metz and their families. They have been a tremendous joy to have as part of the Pacific family."

Notes: Freshman middle Kyle Klinger, who spent the past four years in the Air Force, has been cleared to start running. He has been rehabilitating a foot injury. ... Hawaii will host the University of Alberta, a perennial Canadian power, in exhibitions at the Stan Sheriff Center Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.