The fall season ended yesterday with a loss but also lots of promise for the Hawaii men's volleyball team. The Warriors' A team fell to Stanford's A team 30-27, 27-30, 30-26, 30-22, 15-7 in the finale of the three-day round-robin split-squad scrimmages at Klum Gym.

“;We feel we've closed the gap on them,”; first-year Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “;We've been told this was the best team in the country and we know we're close. And, at times, we were better than them. That's real promising.”;

Hawaii A, without senior middle Matt Rawson (family reasons), outlasted Stanford A in five Friday. Yesterday, 'Iolani product Brad Lawson—one of seven former island high school players playing for the Cardinal—had six aces in the match. Four of those came in the deciding Set 5.

Senior setter Kawika Shoji ('Iolani '06) had a 5-0 serving run that put the Cardinal up 11-4.

“;If someone gets hot early serving, you can pull away pretty quickly,”; Stanford coach John Kosty said. “;Hawaii's a very talented team and their freshman (Jonas Umlauft) really helps them.

“;We were looking for really good competition this fall and we got it.”;

Joining the Stanford staff this season as a volunteer assistant is former Warrior setter Daniel Rasay.