Charlie Wade saw—and heard—plenty of New Year's Eve fireworks from his Keolu Hills home on Thursday night.

He's expecting more this Thursday night when his 12th-ranked Hawaii men's volleyball team opens the season. The match against No. 10 Ohio State is New Year's Day as far as the Warriors and their first-year head coach are concerned, and they plan on making some noise on the national scene.

“;We've made a lot of progress in every way measurable since we started back in September,”; Wade said. “;I think we're going to be real balanced (on offense).

“;What we're trying to establish is for our guys to play through mistakes. Being consistent is important, but so is the ability to refocus when things are going less than optimal. You have to have the ability to turn it around. As (former UH football coach) June Jones liked to say, 'One snap and clear.' “;

The returning Warriors appear to have bought into the philosophic and practice styles that Wade and his new staff have brought into the gym. The biggest change, however, is the presence of 6-foot-9 freshman opposite Jonas Umlauft, a player signed by since-retired coach Mike Wilton last spring.

“;He brings another whole dimension for us,”; senior libero Ric Cervantes said. “;The fact that we have a huge opposite on the right side is a huge plus. There aren't that many super-coordinated 6-9 guys who can do everything in the country.

“;If we're not in system, we know we have great high-ball hitters in Jonas and Josh (junior hitter Walker). It's making us really calm, knowing that we have options out there even if we don't pass the ball perfect.”;

Umlauft, a German national with an impressive resume, has made an immediate impact in practice. An all-around player, he has great court awareness, as evidenced yesterday when he chased down a ball and bumped a no-look perfect backset cross court that Gus Tuaniga put down for a kill.

“;Ridiculously perfect,”; Cervantes said. “;But we're used to seeing it.”;

Having Umlauft has helped simplify things, according to Wade. It has taken pressure off the other hitters, such as Walker, junior Tuaniga and sophomore Steven Hunt, to be “;the guy.”;

“;Obviously, Jonas will get a lot of swings, but Nejc (junior setter Zemljak) does not have any bad options,”; Wade said. “;It also helps that both of our senior middles (Steven Grgas and Matt Rawson) are healthy.”;

“;The whole team is coming together, with the old guys and the new guys,”; Grgas said. “;It's my final year and this could be my final year of volleyball ever. In my mind, I want to go out with a bang.”;

While many questioned how well Wade—a former Rainbow Wahine assistant and head coach for the Pacific women—would transition to the men's game, the Warriors have benefited from Wade's background. It has translated into Hawaii concentrating on the things that can be controlled, particularly passing.

“;Every volleyball coach will tell you, the game is pretty simple,”; Wade said. “;It's all about the passing.”;

Notes

Sophomore middle Jarrod Lofy is out with a sprained left ankle. Junior hitter Brennon Dyer has been taking reps in the middle. ... Hawaii started fall camp with seven setters and is down to four. Sophomore Sam Morehouse is No. 2 on the depth chart. Morehouse redshirted in 2008, played at Golden West College last year, and transferred back in the fall.