The small plant in Charlie Wade's office—the one put on the windowsill in search of some sun earlier this week—was on the floor when the Hawaii men's volleyball coach returned yesterday. Even though it had fallen out of its pot, it was still very much alive and in need of a just a little bit of care to start growing again.

It accurately summed up Wade's first year as the Warriors' coach. Hawaii had reached the sunshine that came with making the playoffs for the first time in three years and, after falling to No. 1 Stanford on Thursday night, the Warriors were ready to continue their collective growth.

“;We know we have things to work on to prepare for next season,”; opposite Jonas Umlauft, one of UH's newest All-Americans, said. “;We played the best team in the country at the moment and they made less errors than we did. It's something we need to do, make our game more consistent.

“;But we have started to build a culture of winning and I'm looking forward to continue building on that. I feel bad for the seniors, sad we couldn't make it farther for them, and I hope we can go farther next year.”;

This Warrior team (19-10, 14-8 MPSF) made it farther than any had since 2003 when winning a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation quarterfinal match. It was UH's best league record since finishing second in 2006.

Hawaii also had its first All-Americans since 2006, with Umlauft on the first team and junior hitter Joshua Walker on the second. The program had its third AVCA national newcomer of the year in Umlauft, also named the MPSF freshman of the year.

Several records were also set, including the 37 kills by Umlauft that was single-match mark in rally score play. Senior libero Ric Cervantes leaves as the all-time UH dig leader (936).

“;I think we've left a legacy, a spark for next year's team,”; senior middle Steven Grgas said. “;Coach (Wade) said a good thing in the locker room (after Thursday's loss), that it's hard to understanding what the playoffs are about when you don't go to them very often.”;

Wade feels that, overall, it was a successful season. And it's just the beginning.

“;There's a sense of accomplishment in what we did this season,”; he said. “;Sure, I would have liked to be coaching the guys for another week but there's definitely a learning curve when it comes to the playoffs.

“;You have to deal with the all the emotions that go into sustaining a high level of play. Look at the NBA playoffs. Teams rarely win the first time.”;

While having 4 1/2 scholarships limits recruiting, Wade has signed three high school players from the mainland—two middles and an outside—and has non-binding commitments from several walk-ons. He saw way too many former island prep stars across the net Thursday playing for Stanford “;and we'd like to change that.

“;If you're good enough to play in this league and you're from Hawaii, we want you think 'Hawaii First,' “; Wade said. “;And we can't thank our fans enough. They were a big part of our success and I hope they come back that first week in January for the Outrigger (Hotels Invitational).

More than 70 percent of the offense returns in Umlauft, Walker and Steven Hunt. Also back is setter Nejc Zemljak (All-MPSF second team).

“;I feel good about next year,”; Walker said. “;Two All-Americans back and Jonas will get better, I will get better. If we improve at the same rate that we did this year, we'll be the No. 1 team. That's the position we'll work hard to be in.”;

NOTES

Senior middle Matt Rawson is headed to the U.S. national team for an extended tryout later this month. ... The team banquet is scheduled for May 9 at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach starting at 5 p.m. ... Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children (4-10). For information, call 488-6352 or 630-9303.