Warrior Beat

Here are some random thoughts on a rainy Sunday: > UH’s men’s volleyball team is 4-2 against UCLA since John Speraw succeeded Al Scates as the Bruins’ head coach. During that span, the Rainbow Warriors are 3-0 in five-set matches. > Opposite attacker Brook Sedore and middle blocker Taylor Averill are deserving of All-America honors. Averill is a rare middle who also can set and play back-row defense. He made a nice pancake dig last night. > UH had to […]

Minutes after the volleyball Rainbow Warriors upset No. 3 UCLA, fans were invited onto the Stan Sheriff Center court for a youth clinic. The thing is, the post-match activities aren’t unique. During every home series, there usually is an autograph session, with free poster giveaways. True, attendance has dropped, significantly, through the years. (Last night’s crowd was announced at 1,843, although it did not include late-comers, such as a visiting quarterback from Southern California.) But volleyball remains a rarity in […]

The way former UH corner/returner Mike Edwards figured it, playing experience — any playing experience — is much needed this year. That was the thinking behind signing a short-term contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League rather than wait for a free-agent invitation to an NFL training camp. The CFL has two rookie offers: 1) A one-year contract with a team option for a second year, or 2) a two-year contract with a team option for a third […]

USC quarterback Max Wittek will begin a recruiting visit to Hawaii tomorrow evening. Arrangements were finalized this afternoon. Wittek is seeking to transfer after he earns a bachelor’s degree at the end of this semester. Graduates are free to transfer and play immediately without redshirting. Wittek has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Wittek visited Texas two weeks ago. He is expected to make his decision in May, after interested schools have completed spring ball and evaluations. * * * * […]

It appears that former UH receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann and defensive tackle Siasau “Saui” Matagiese are ready to move on to the rest of their lives. Both have declined to participate in UH’s Pro Day on March 20. Here are the participants: > Kamalani Alo > Charles Clay > Craig Cofer > George Daily-Lyles > Brenden Daley > Clark Evans > Chris Gant > Tony Grimes > John Hardy-Tuliau > Sterling Jackson > Marcus Langkilde > Daniel Masifilo > Mike […]

I’m not certain if test scores are going up or down, but it appears that football players are doing well in math and problem solving. There are at least three FBS quarterbacks who list Hawaii as an option to transfer. Their interests are based on Norm Chow’s record of developing quarterbacks and the starting UH quarterback’s position up for grabs. UH’s move to a 3-4 base defense means a starting linebacker position will be added. UH has received several inquiries […]

The Rainbow Warriors will open spring training on April 1. The weekday practices will begin at about 7 a.m. The starting time has not been determined for the Saturday practices. The practices are open to the public. > Tuesday, April 1 > Thursday, April 3 > Saturday, April 5 > Monday, April 7 > Tuesday, April 8 > Thursday, April 10 > Saturday, April 12 — Junior Day > Monday, April 14 > Tuesday, April 15 > Thursday, April 17 […]

Call it a “renewal of vows.” Defensive lineman Samiuela Lauaki of Cathedral High in Los Angeles will sign with the Rainbow Warriors. Lauaki made an oral commitment to UH back in June. But he missed the flight to Honolulu for a recruiting trip earlier this month, then appeared to be ready to sign with Utah State. He ended up not signing with Utah State … nor with anyone else. Lauaki, who plans to go on a two-year church mission beginning […]