It's a ritual that is both very public and very private. Every time Sean Carney goes back to serve, he gives the volleyball a kiss.

For luck?

For his mom and sister, who have moved to Boston?

For his dad, who is battling cancer and was hospitalized again earlier this week?

The senior setter for the Hawaii men's volleyball team says there is a significance, one that is very personal and that he is unwilling to share.

“;It has meaning to me,”; the 23-year-old said. “;It's something I came up with, a routine that I get into. It helps me focus and calm myself down. I don't really want to say anything more.”;

Carney would rather show it through his actions as he begins his last season as a Warrior tonight against Ohio State in the Outrigger Hotels Invitational. Hawaii is seeking to rebound from a very off year in which it went 11-16 and missed the conference playoffs for the first time since 1993, coach Mike Wilton's first season.

Carney took losing very hard and very personally. Perhaps too hard and too personally, he admits.

“;I know I play with a lot more fire than a lot of setters,”; he said. “;It comes from playing different sports, like basketball. Setters need to be more diplomatic, and that's what I'm working on this year.

“;Our passing is nine billion times better this year and I'm not running marathons to get to the ball. The returnees and the new guys have all stepped up their games, have all demonstrated that we don't want a repeat of last year. I think we'll be surprising some teams this year.”;

That Carney is playing for Hawaii is both surprising and serendipitous. Highly recruited out of 'Iolani, he originally enrolled at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., but left after the first semester of his freshman year when the Flyers were stripped of the 2003 NCAA title following recruiting violations.

“;We thought he was a good player in high school and we wanted him to come here,”; UH associate coach Tino Reyes said. “;It was fortunate for us that he came back.

“;He's really grown as a person. Sometimes his (over-competitiveness) gets in the way and it was something we needed to talk to him about. He's the leader out there and he's got to make the play, even when we have passing issues.”;

Carney's return home also coincided with his father Tom becoming ill.

“;It was a blessing in a way,”; said Carney, who backed up Brian Beckwith for his first two seasons. “;My dad and I connect a lot through sports. Having him being able to see all my games has meant a lot to him and a lot to me.

“;I'm happy to have found my niche here.”;

Carney has carved out a reputation for aggressive play, which led to his occasionally being moved to outside hitter last season due to injury and circumstance. His teammates are happy to have him back at setter.

“;We know how he likes to make those miraculous sets across court, but with our passing being better, I don't think he'll have to be doing it as much this year,”; sophomore hitter Joshua Walker said. “;He's a lot more focused on making a good set instead of forcing it.”;

“;Sean's become more of a leader,”; junior middle Matt Rawson said. “;He's matured in that he knows he doesn't have to do everything himself. He's relying on everyone else.”;

That reliance extends beyond the court. His teammates have become Carney's family.

“;With dad in the hospital, and mom and sister in Boston, it's been rough,”; Carney said. “;Volleyball is one of my biggest outlets.

“;It's cliche to say you have a family in volleyball, but the people I see the most are these guys. My dad being sick plays a lot on my mind, but my teammates make me feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel.”;

That's sealed with a kiss.