Round up the usual suspects? That's putting it mildly.

Not only did USC, Penn State and Ohio State begin their respective seasons in the same tournament last January — the Outrigger Hotels Invitational — but the trio also concluded the season in the same tournament — the NCAA men's volleyball championship.

The three hope that this week's 16th edition of the OHI again will be the launching pad to a final four berth, taking it one step farther. USC finished second to UC Irvine in the NCAA final, while Penn State and Ohio State shared third after losing in the semifinals to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opponents.

“;What a great way to start the year,”; Penn State coach Mark Pavlik said. “;It's a tournament that the players realize the importance of, realize the tradition.

“;It's a great tournament, one where you've got the majority of the players from last year back for all the teams. It makes for great volleyball for the guys on the court and the people in the stands.”;

Hawaii would like nothing better than to get coach Charlie Wade's first season off on the right note. The Warriors haven't won this event since 2006 and certainly wouldn't mind playing poor hosts in order to pick up a sixth OHI championship koa bowl.

“;It's really important for us to do well in our tournament,”; said junior hitter Joshua Walker, the only Warrior named to the all-tournament team last year. “;We knew how good these teams all were when we saw them last year. I thought they'd end up in the final four and they all did.

“;We know off the bat we're facing top competition. We have no doubts in our minds that we're as good as anyone out there. We just have to do it. It's something we've been waiting for ever since the fall.”;

Hawaii has been focusing on consistency and team building. The Warriors literally did that yesterday by adding to their newly renovated locker room.

In a visual reminder that this season is all about taking care of business, the players assembled office chairs.

Tonight, Hawaii opens at 7 p.m. against Ohio State, the only team it beat in this event last season. The tournament kicks off at 4 p.m. with the rematch of the national semifinal between top-ranked USC and Penn State.

A look at the teams according to preseason ranking (last year's records in parenthesis):

No. 1. USC (21-11)

The Trojans got hot at the right time last season, recouping from a regular-season loss to the Warriors with four consecutive postseason victories. The magic ended in the national championship match when they fell to UC Irvine in five.

The Trojans are still very young, with only three seniors, but the youth is very talented. SC returns six starters, including the perfectly named Murphy Troy, a 6-foot-8 junior opposite (616 kills, 43 aces, 50 blocks). The All-American set the program's single-season records for kills, kill average (5.04 kps), double-digit kill matches (29) and 20-plus kill matches (16).

Running the offense for the second season is junior setter Riley McKibbin (Punahou '07), whose 1,702 assists and 13.86 assist average were rally-scoring records for the Trojans. McKibbin, Troy and junior middle Austin Zahn were named to the NCAA all-tournament team.

Joining McKibbin is brother Maddison (Punahou '09), a 6-5 freshman hitter. A third island product, 6-5 junior hitter Tri Bourne (AOP '08), has missed half of each of the past two seasons with injuries but is healthy and will be a key component for the team's success.

SC's only appearance in this tournament was last season, finishing second to Penn State. Troy was named the most outstanding player.

Bill Ferguson is in his fourth season (46-43).

No. 5. Penn State (27-4)

The Lions return five starters, including four All-Americans, from the team that lost to the Trojans in the NCAA semifinal last May.

Although two-time All-American Max Holt (2.70 kps) and all-conference performer Ryan Sweitzer (3.39 kps) are gone, Penn State has plenty of firepower. Back are 6-7 middle Max Lipsitz (2.80 kps, .490, 118 blocks) and 6-5 senior opposite Will Price (3.43 kps, 51 aces).

Running the potent offense is sophomore setter Edgardo Goas, and anchoring the defense is junior libero Dennis Del Valle, who set the program's single-season record for digs (310). Goas and Del Valle were named to the OHI all-tournament team last year, as were Lipsitz and Holt.

Penn State has appeared in every Outrigger Hotels Invitational (15-28) and has won the last two titles. Coach Mark Pavlik is in his 16th season (366-105, one NCAA title).

No. 10 Ohio State (16-12)

The Buckeyes, swept by eventual champion UCI in the NCAA semifinal, return five starters, three of whom were named to the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association preseason team in Kevin Heine, Steve Kehoe and John Klanac. Heine, a 6-5 senior middle, averaged 2.38 kps, with team bests in hitting percentage (.454) and blocks (95).

Kehoe, a 6-5 junior setter, averaged 12.75 assists with 81 blocks and 20 aces, while 6-6 junior hitter Klanac averaged 2.84 kps with 52 blocks and 18 aces.

This is Ohio State's third appearance in five years (1-5).

Pete Hanson is in his 26th season (493-274).

No. 12 Hawaii (9-18)

The Warriors, after missing the postseason for a second straight year, have nearly a dozen players who have some starting experience, led by senior libero Ric Cervantes, the program's career leader in digs per set (2.86). He is also fourth all-time in digs (654), 161 behind leader Alfie Reft.

Junior setter Nejc Zemljak, who shared duties the past two seasons, is expected to start. He has a number of weapons from which to choose, including the 6-1 Walker and 6-3 sophomore Gus Tuaniga. Other returning hitters with starting experience are 6-5 sophomore Steven Hunt and 6-4 junior Brennon Dyer.

Senior 6-7 middles Steven Grgas and Matt Rawson form an imposing wall that should be even better now that Rawson is completely healthy.

The biggest addition is 6-9 freshman opposite Jonas Umlauft, a German national with an impressive international resume.

Hawaii leads the series against the three opponents: 2-0 against Ohio State, 12-5 against Penn State and 34-29 against USC.

This is Wade's first season at the collegiate men's level. He spent 11 seasons as an assistant with the Rainbow Wahine and three as head coach for the Pacific women.