Borden return? … Volleyball opens season

This time, UH is awaiting good news from the NCAA.

UH has petitioned the NCAA for a waiver that would enable Kawika Borden to return as a sixth-year senior in 2015. The argument is considered to be strong because Borden missed the 2012 and 2014 seasons because of situations that were “out of his control” — a main criteria for waiver approval. Borden did not play last season because of sports hernia.

Borden is valued as a long-snapper (he did not make an errant snap in 82 punt attempts in 2013; a strong safety, nickelback or outside linebacker; and on punt and kickoff units. In 2013, he made six tackles on kickoffs and four on punt coverages. What’s more, he forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles on punts. In a unique sequence, he forced a fumble that was recovered by a teammate, who then fumbled, with Borden recovering that second fumble.

Borden is a workout freak who probably is the Warriors’ strongest defensive back.

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The volleyball Warriors open their season with tonight’s match against Stevens Institute of Technology. First serve is at 7:05 p.m. Here’s the skinny:

> This is Charlie Wade’s sixth season as head coach. He received a two-year extension the past summer after his initial five-year contract expired several months earlier.

> The projected opening rotation includes six players with starting experience: Middles Taylor Averill and Davis Holt, left-side hitter Siki Zarkovic, opposite Brook Sedore, setter Jennings Franciskovic, and libero Kolby kanetake. If Punahou graduate Kupono Fey starts at the second left-side spot, he would be the third locally raised player in the lineup. Holt is a graduate of Maryknoll School and Kanetake is a Moanalua High alumnus.

> Middle blocker Vaughn Wellenreiter and setter Alex Jones transferred from Cal State Northridge. Wellenreiter has two seasons of eligibility remaining. This is Jones’ last NCAA season. Jones, who earned a bachelor’s degree at C-SUN, is taking graduate classes at UH. Jones was voted one of four co-captains.

> The other UH captains are Averill, left-side hitter Scott Hartley and libero Garrett Komisarek.

> Stevens, located across the Hudson from New York City, is a top academic school specializing in engineering, computer science, pre-med and pre-law. Of Stevens’ 17 players on the roster, 16 receive full scholarships (valued at $59,000). One player pays under $10,000 annually. Stevens averages 25 victories each of the past several seasons.