Carere wants title for banner year

The UH hitter has double-figure kills in all but six of 23 matches

April 12, 2003.

Likely just another Saturday for most. But for Matt Carere, it was a Saturday that changed everything.

That night he fell in love ... with Hawaii volleyball.

UCSD at UH When: Today and tomorrow, 7 p.m. Where: Stan Sheriff Center TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5) Radio: Live, KKEA (1420-AM)

It wasn't the Warriors' play that made the biggest impression, although Hawaii did very well in sweeping USC in the regular-season finale.

It was the senior night festivities that came after, the mountains of lei that buried Costas Theocharidis, Eyal Zimet, Tony Ching and Brian Nordberg, that had Carere wanting to be part of the ohana.

"The Stan Sheriff Center was packed and I saw how everyone was treated," Carere said. "Oh, my goodness. I couldn't believe it. Where else would I go after seeing that? It wasn't a tough decision."

Not when the self-described water baby could trade the cold waters off the San Juan Islands off the coast of his native Canada for the warm waters of Oahu. Not when he could surf without snow falling on his board. And not when the two-time Canadian beach volleyball champion could play on the sand any time he wanted.

While Carere found paradise, it took a while before the outside hitter found his game, and the Warriors found the player who would become their co-captain this season.

"It was a big jump from the junior-college level to this level, and from the Canadian style to our style," said Carere, who transferred after earning all-league honors at Camosun College in British Columbia. "It took me a long time to adjust to the different pace of the game. It took a while to get my confidence back, to be playing to have fun instead of playing not to fail."

After a redshirt year, Carere was part of last year's revolving door at outside hitter. He, Jose Delgado and Lauri Hakala all battled for the spot; all had their moments, as well as their off-nights.

"It seemed like whoever ascended to the top of the heap would quickly give it away," Warrior coach Mike Wilton said. "Nobody could settle into that position last year."

A back injury that limited his mobility hampered Carere's chances. He spent last offseason rehabbing nearly every day in the gym, pushing to get stronger.

"The difference for me this season is a combination of things," Carere said. "Us changing our offense, me getting healthy and being stronger, physically and mentally.

"I couldn't ask for a better season thus far."

Ask the Warriors and, to a man, they say the biggest difference in Carere's game is confidence.

"Last year, he was a little nervous on the court," senior middle Mauli'a La Barre said. "In practice he'd play the way he's playing now. We all knew what he could do.

"He reminds me of some of the other players we've had, like Eyal (Zimet). They aren't super fiery but they know what they have to do and they get the job done. The team elected him captain and that shows the respect they have for him on and off the court."

Carere's co-captain is senior All-American libero Alfred Reft. Reft, who has since become UH's all-time dig leader, was not a surprise choice. Carere's might have been to outsiders, who only saw his numbers from last year when he played in 15 of 28 matches and hit .185 with only 54 kills.

"He's a leader and he's really adopted that leadership role," said senior hitter Matt Bender, Carere's roommate. "He and Alfie have taken it upon themselves to be the leaders of this team, carrying the responsibility on their shoulders.

"The biggest change is in his confidence. It was just a matter of getting court time. We all knew how good he could be on the court."

Junior setter Brian Beckwith agrees.

"He's playing with confidence," Beckwith said. "Last year there was a little bit of nervousness. Now he's very confident and composed. It shows in the way he's been playing.

"He's an overall consistent player, doesn't make too many mistakes. It's good to have a backbone like that on your team as far as offense."

Carere's owned the right side this season, and is just one of three Warriors to start all 23 matches. His solid, all-around game has him second on the team in service aces and digs, third in kills and fourth in blocks.

Carere's been in double-figure kills in all but six matches, with a career-high 23 kills in the win at UC Santa Barbara the second match of the season. He's coming off his best match percentage-wise -- .900 with nine kills in 10 attempts at Stanford -- as the Warriors put their 15-match winning streak on the line against UC San Diego tonight.

"He's been a model of consistency," Wilton said. "He's a good captain, a good student, a good guy and a good role model.

"He's having a wonderful year and is as consistent a player as we have."

All's going well for Carere as his UH playing career winds down. The chemistry major, who has a 3.5 GPA, will graduate in May.

It will be almost three years to the day of seeing his first senior night that Carere will celebrate his own on April 15. His entire family is coming from Canada for next week's matches against Brigham Young.

"It's been such a good experience and I'm grateful for everything, especially the friendships," Carere said. "I'm having a good season individually but that's nothing compared to how well the team is doing."

"And having a (NCAA) banner would be huge. That's what we've all been working so hard for. I couldn't ask for a better senior season thus far ... but the banner is the bigger picture."