UH volleyball team adds big man

Whoever is named the new coach for the Hawaii men's volleyball team will have a pleasant surprise waiting for him this summer.

Retired Warriors coach Mike Wilton said yesterday that Jonas Umlauft, a 6-foot-8 opposite for the German junior national team has been admitted into school. The 18-year-old, who competed for Germany in the 2007 FIVB World Boys Youth Championship, is expected to enroll for the summer session.

He has been described as an impact player, with the talent somewhere between Yuval Katz and Costas Theocharidis, two Warriors who were AVCA national players of the year.

Hawaii also has a commitment from incoming freshman setter Arik Metzger, the younger brother of former UCLA All-American setter Brandon Taliaferro. Metzger was an all-league selection at San Clemente (Calif.) High and played libero for Riptides Volleyball Club.

Pacific coach Joe Wortmann had predicted that Umlauft will be one of the top players in the NCAA next season. According to another coach, Umlauft is between former Warriors Katz and Theocharidis in skill level.

Hawaii struggled to a 9-18 record this season and was ranked No. 15 in yesterday's final poll of the season.

Hawaii's Klein picks up WAC award

Hawaii pitcher Nathaniel Klein was named the Western Athletic Conference's baseball pitcher of the week yesterday.

Klein, a junior, gave up seven runs, but struck out six batters in eight innings in a win over Fresno State last week to earn his second win of the season and clinch a playoff berth for the Rainbows. Klein carries a 5.02 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 52 innings this season.

San Jose State infielder Kyle Bellows was the hitter of the week.

PACWEST PLACE

BYUH, HPU tennis ready for NCAAs

Hawaii Pacific's and Brigham Young-Hawaii's tennis teams are in Florida preparing for their NCAA tournaments beginning tomorrow at Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The undefeated BYUH women meet Francis Marion (20-4) tomorrow and will play the winner between Lynn (25-0) and Bloomsburg (15-5) on Thursday. The HPU women are on the other side of the bracket, so the two Hawaii teams can only meet in Saturday's championship. The Lady Sea Warriors (16-7) meet former conference rival Montana State-Billings (11-2) in tomorrow's first round.

The HPU and BYUH men's teams are also in the draw and on opposite sides of the bracket. Hawaii Pacific (14-4) takes on St. Edward's (15-8) in tomorrow's first round, while BYUH (16-4) faces off with Barry (24-2).