Match day: BYU (Friday edition)

> What’s happening: UH and BYU play volleyball matches tonight and tomorrow night in Provo.

> What’s at stake: Because UC Irvine has zero chance of losing to UC San Diego, the volleyball Warriors need to beat BYU in both matches to win the regular-season title. (Irvine owns the tie-breaker advantage over UH.)

> Why is it important to win title: The MPSF’s regular-season winner earns the No. 1 seed in the league’s playoffs. After the quarterfinals, the highest remaining seed hosts both the semifinals and title match. The MPSF tournament winner earns the league’s automatic berth in the six-team NCAA championship tournament. Even without winning the league playoff, the MPSF’s regular-season champion traditionally earns an at-large berth. There is value to 22 matches in the nation’s best conference.

> What’s up: Well, Provo is up — 4,549 feet above sea level. In the thin air, hands will dry, noses will bleed, volleyballs will float. That might be a problem for a float-server like UH middle Davis Holt, who has been very good at keeping serves in play. But Holt, who is UH’s sixth server in the rotation, gets subbed out at least once. Thin air or not, serving specialists Scott Hartley and Ryan Leung should have no problem blasting serves. On the attack, it should be interesting if Kupono Fey’s cross-court shots will bite. Middle Taylor Averill, who has the country’s best cut-back swing, will not be affected.

> Streaks: The Warriors have won 16 in a row. The Cougars have won two in a row after losing all six of their matches in March, including two at home to UC Irvine.

> Blue talk: Smith Fieldhouse is a tough venue for visiting teams because the fans are close and rowdy, and security often is distracted. Then again, 4,000 BYU hecklers can’t match Stretch, A-Joe and JM.

> How to watch: It’s televised on BYUtv and computerized on byutvsports.com.

* * * * *

Football update:


> With slotbacks Quinton Pedroza (foot) and Dylan Collie (sore leg) unavailable on Thursday, running back Pereese Joas moved to slotback. Joas draws comparisons to Donnie King, last year’s under-used slotback. Joas averaged 9.6 yards per touch last year. Trouble was, he only had seven touches. But he’s a tough guy who overcame adversity, such as homelessness, to earn a spot on the roster.
Here’s Joas’ story: SA story on Joas

Pereese Joas
Pereese Joas

> With right guard Dejon Allen out this week because of a medical procedure, the Warriors are down to seven healthy offensive linemen. Ben Clarke is technically not healthy. But in non-contact drills, when UH needs a center, Clarke volunteers. Clark is UH’s best offensive linemen, and he’ll play either left tackle or center this year, depending on UH’s needs.

> It always seems like Jahlani Tavai, a rush end, is making plays.

> The Warriors’ deepest position appears to be safety. Trayvon Henderson, Marrell Jackson, Daniel Lewis and Dany Mulanga are having terrific springs. Henderson has emerged as a playmaker.

> The Warriors do not have a true punter in spring camp. But kicker Aaron Novoa has been working on his punt-drop technique during warmups.

> Right wideout Keelan Ewaliko:

Keelan Ewaliko
Keelan Ewaliko

> Nose tackle Penitito Faalologo:

Penitito Faalologo
Penitito Faalologo

> Linebacker Pumba Williams:

Pumba Williams
Pumba Williams

COMMENTS

  1. PONO April 17, 2015 7:43 am

    First to the party?


  2. jm2375 April 17, 2015 8:00 am

    Good morning Tsaikos!

    Heard that the last time they were up @ Provo, a fan grabbed Taylor Averill’s jersey WHILE he was serving.
    The fans may be polite, but NO CLASS.

    GO WARRIORS! BEAT BYWHO!
    GO WAHINE!


  3. tom April 17, 2015 8:03 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!

    Beat BYU!


  4. 3-Prong April 17, 2015 8:05 am

    *********BEAT BYU********


  5. Da Punchbowl Kids April 17, 2015 8:11 am

    👿


  6. haka April 17, 2015 8:13 am

    quadruple the motion! beat byu!!!!


  7. haka April 17, 2015 8:14 am

    dpk, watch your blood pressure!


  8. Da Punchbowl Kids April 17, 2015 8:16 am

    🙂 GO WARRIORS!!! 🙂

    👿 CRUSH, CLOBBER, AND CONK THE COUGS! 👿


  9. NorthShoreFan April 17, 2015 8:18 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.

    Joas, incredibly strong young man.

    IMUA WARRIORS!


  10. Da Punchbowl Kids April 17, 2015 8:18 am

    haka – Just gettin my evil on so that I can send a lil something over to the Cougseseses! 😆


  11. Stephen Tsai April 17, 2015 8:21 am

    Jm:
    Sometimes wholesome-looking people can be the most brutal.
    But enough about the ESPN reporter at the tow shop.


  12. H-man April 17, 2015 8:29 am

    Beat BYU !!!


  13. Da Punchbowl Kids April 17, 2015 8:32 am

    haka –
    Championship game against the Kittys at their place? It feels good to be all riled up!


  14. seewhy April 17, 2015 8:33 am

    *Beat BYU!!!*


  15. jm2375 April 17, 2015 8:47 am

    Don’t forget about PP! She can be heard from Honolulu to Provo!


  16. kev-1 April 17, 2015 9:03 am

    ST … what that ESPN reporter did was disgusting. I’m surprised she was suspended for such short a time.


  17. kev-1 April 17, 2015 9:05 am

    RE: Ewaliko

    Last year we were all impressed with his speed and his big play potential. The knock on him was that he was raw and needed to develop into a better route runner. Has anyone who has been fortunate enough to attend practice notice if he has in fact improved in that department? I sure am looking forward to seeing what he can do.


  18. kev-1 April 17, 2015 9:08 am

    If anyone pays attention to Hawaii’s MMA talent, please check out Max Holloway this weekend as he has probably the biggest fight of his career. Show bruddah some aloha and check it out. Its on live TV. He represents the islands well and always sports his Waianae hat in the ring.

    Go Max! Be Blessed!


  19. Stephen Tsai April 17, 2015 9:13 am

    Jm:
    PP is loud, but not vicious.
    OK, she was a little vicious to Stanford players.
    But, hey, Stanford’s fans started it in 2010. Besides, there’s nothing like a tree-mascot talking smack.


  20. Stephen Tsai April 17, 2015 9:16 am

    Kev-1:
    Ewaliko missed a week of practice because of the staph-like infection. But since he’s been back, he’s been pretty steady. I have no idea what the intended route is, but I figure if the ball is in Ewaliko’s vicinity and he catches it, he’s probably running the right route.
    UH needs speed, and Ewaliko is one of its fastest receivers.


  21. Andrew April 17, 2015 9:27 am

    destroy and embarrass BYU


  22. kev-1 April 17, 2015 9:29 am

    Thanks ST.


  23. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 9:41 am

    GO WARRIORS!

    TGIF

    Nice story on Pereese Joas. Dedicated and determined young man.


  24. Duster April 17, 2015 9:59 am

    I’ve always envisioned Keelan Ewaliko as a slot. He can get loose going vertical up a seam. You can also hand him the ball on misdirection plays, end arounds from slot. He is a runner. I suppose they need his speed on the outside, but he would be more of a matchup problem for LBs and Safeties with his speed than for CBs.


  25. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 10:00 am

    Stoopid joke Friday:

    A nervous pirate walks into a bar with a paper towel roll on his head. The bartender says, “Anything wrong pal?” The pirate says, “I got a Bounty on my head.”


  26. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 10:02 am

    I went to a seafood gym last week and pulled a mussel.


  27. nutmegger April 17, 2015 10:03 am

    It is unfortunate that a walk-on student-athlete, not on athletic scholarship, is homeless and must subsist on peanut butter while the NCAA gets millions from video games. I know life is not fair, but the hypocrisy of the NCAA’s concern for the welfare of student-athletes disgusts me.


  28. Duster April 17, 2015 10:07 am

    I also saw speedy Bubba Poueu-Luna as a slot, but he was not used there. I believe that he played QB in high school like Ewaliko and was used to running with the ball. I don’t want Ewaliko to be pidgeon-holed as the fly sweep guy like Bubba was. To me, young guys like this are not wired to be on the outside. But what do I know.


  29. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 10:08 am

    The other day Mr. Football Coach decided to wash his sweatshirt. Soon after staring at the washing machine, he shouted to his wife, “What setting do I use on the washer?”

    “It depends,” she replied. “What does it say on your shirt?”

    He yelled back, ” University of Hawaii.”


  30. Derek April 17, 2015 10:11 am

    UH beating BYU in anything is cause for celebration, at least it feels like that. That’s because BYU is always a good team and beating them means it’s a big deal. When UH beat BYU 56-14 when Gabriel lighted it up it was the best I’ve felt in a long time.


  31. H-man April 17, 2015 10:44 am

    For fun, watch the 1990 Hawaii-BYU extended football highlights. See on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8hSNIjIfms
    “On December 1, 1990, Hawaii and BYU met again on the turf of Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. A year earlier, Hawaii had beaten BYU for the first time ever since joining the WAC, but the 1990 BYU team was ranked 4th in the nation and featured Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.”


  32. A-House April 17, 2015 12:46 pm

    looks like the many or selected “trolls” may have destroyed this blog

    now too many years past, there would be hundreds of posts that were fun to read and converse with poster and lurkers

    the “hey day” of this blog has seen its best!

    what a shame.


  33. 3-Prong April 17, 2015 1:01 pm

    I’m serious,…..BEAT BYU !%#?£¥%

    ….but don’t forget to smile, we live in Paradise, it’s Aloha Friday and we don’t live in Provo!


  34. cappie the dog April 17, 2015 1:13 pm

    Jackson Wheeler, on his talk show with Jeff Portnoy, is always talking about how nice a guy BYU basketball head coach Dave Rose is.

    I stopped hating BYU after June Jones’ 2001(?) team clobbered the Cougars 72-45. Remember how ESPN broke away to a NBA game? That was unprecedented. Of course, it would be a UH game.

    I remember Dan Patrick, on his old ESPNRadio show, coming to Hawaii’s defense, saying, “Let them have their day in the sun.” Always remembered that. I will always be a Dan Patrick fan.


  35. SteveM April 17, 2015 1:43 pm

    chopsueyboy — saw your post on yesterday’s blog that you have finished relocating to Seattle. Transferring you to the Washington Tsai-ko “chaptah” with president wafan. I think the cattle call menu will improve greatly with you there. 🙂
    http://stevem.altervista.org/mainintpost.html


  36. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 1:44 pm

    Losing, complaints, and piss poor attitudes have contributed to the lack of posts.

    BTW, how do you converse with lurkers?

    Tell me A-House, if the Warriors were returning from a winning season would you be debating attending a Thursday opening season game?


  37. Rodney April 17, 2015 1:58 pm

    Winning takes care of everything!
    Blogging too!! Lol


  38. lawaia April 17, 2015 2:05 pm

    jimmy the lock: For the past five years, I’ve been reading the Warrior Beat and started posting in 2014. I decided to post because of the negative comments from some posters. I will always support the student athletes from all sports and coaches of the University of Hawaii. We are “HERE” reading the Warrior Beat. Imua Na Koa Anuenue.


  39. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 2:31 pm

    lawaia,

    Thanks for the support. Now that you’re out of the closet you are no longer a lurker. Are you a fisherman?

    Negative comments come from most everyone, even the so called Tsaiko’s. No harm in voicing your displeasure.


  40. Boolakanaka April 17, 2015 2:35 pm

    Fiercest competitor I saw close up Liz Masakayan of mid 1980s UCLA women’s vball fame, upon losing to the wahine, the 3 time all-American promptly threw some chairs in the stands. Scared even me……


  41. SteveM April 17, 2015 2:47 pm

    RE: #38
    lawaia — thanks for posting in support of the players!
    I have you posting as “lawaia808” in December 2013 if that’s you. 🙂

    Actually, I started posting because we were having so much fun on the blog after Blog Party 1 (Dec 2006) that I wanted to join in. We kinda ran amok, but it was fun and in good spirit. The 5 F’s (football, food, friends, family, and fun) of the blog developed. ST took a lot of grief from “upstairs” because of us and tolerated us–always tolerant with sense of humor–which is why many from that era are still around today–lurking if not posting regularly.


  42. cappie the dog April 17, 2015 2:49 pm

    Kanani Aina Cabrales is a competitor.

    She entered the game in the 6th with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out and protected Brittany Hitchcock’s 3-2 lead.

    Hitchcock gets the win, despite striking nobody out.

    Cabrales gets the save.

    40.

    I googled Liz Masakayan.

    At 50, she looks a whole lot less scary.


  43. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 2:53 pm

    Masakayan…even that name sounds scary.


  44. Boolakanaka April 17, 2015 2:58 pm

    Make no mistake about, this part Filipino tita, a 5’8 outside hitter all-American was feared back in the day….check out some pics from back then:http://www.bartelt.org/vb/vbfiles/masakayan.html


  45. lawaia April 17, 2015 3:16 pm

    jimmy the lock: Constructive criticism with solutions is alright. But, some comments have been personal attacks such as “stubborn old man” towards Coach Chow. These statements are highly improper. I don’t think anyone on this blog above 60 years of age wants to be called an “OLD MAN”. Personal attacks should not be allowed. I fish light tackle in East Honolulu.


  46. lawaia April 17, 2015 3:35 pm

    SteveM: I usually write my name as lawaia and not lawaia808 but its possible that I submitted comments in December 2013. All student athletes will have my best wishes for success while at the University of Hawaii. For our local athletes that attend mainland colleges, I will also support them. Imua Na Koa Anuenue.


  47. seewhy April 17, 2015 3:40 pm

    Bows just drop the first set… 27 – 25


  48. jimmy the lock April 17, 2015 3:40 pm

    Almost everyone over 60 is stubborn. 😆

    Coach Chow, or any coach for that matter has to have tough skin. Criticism and personal attacks are part of the game. There’s an art to ragging. Men’s volleyball games have some of the best rag artists.


  49. seewhy April 17, 2015 3:40 pm

    LET’S GO BOWS!


  50. seewhy April 17, 2015 3:50 pm

    Bows down again in the 2nd… 7 – 10 BYU


  51. Rodney April 17, 2015 3:54 pm

    Saw the uh practice the other day
    and my 2 cents is max will be Qb but
    Ikaika is way better then last yr.
    Like the new ofense not boring.
    Defense looks just fine !
    I know its just practice but they look
    very quick,veryorganizedo,very physical
    Imua warriors!


  52. Noio April 17, 2015 3:55 pm

    That was a nice post lawaia. We really need to support our players and coaches and be respectful. I have also been reading this blog for about 5 years. I love Mr. Tsai’s info and insight and the humor and comments. It’s not necessary to be hurtful or disrespectful. Remember the 5 Fs – especially the FUN. 🙂


  53. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:00 pm

    BYU first the reach 20 in the 2nd. Bows down 4. 16 – 20 BYU


  54. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:00 pm

    Hecklers out in force.


  55. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:10 pm

    UH loses 2nd set… 21 -25 BYU


  56. iwonderwhytheyhateme April 17, 2015 4:14 pm

    I much prefer the MVB team that played Stanford…Can we please get that team on the floor instead of this one?


  57. Derek April 17, 2015 4:15 pm

    Jeff Sydner, Kenny Harper, Dane McArthur, Brian Gordon, Jamal Farmer, Mark Odom, Larry Khan-Smith, etc Where are these guys?


  58. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:19 pm

    RE: iwonderwhytheyhateme

    Very disappointing…


  59. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:22 pm

    Let’s regroup and come out of the half firing away!


  60. mytake April 17, 2015 4:42 pm

    I still remember a UH vs BYU football game at the stadium. This BYU TE scores a td and spits on the turf, flipping the finger and yelling f@ck you to the Hawaii fans all caught on tv. To the credit of the BYU faith, they wantes him kicked off the football team. I bring this up because lets not confuse BYU fans with Fresno (boyz in the hood) fans.


  61. seewhy April 17, 2015 4:49 pm

    3rd set! 25 – 21 UH


  62. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:06 pm

    3rd 11 – 15 BYU Media Timeout


  63. Boolakanaka April 17, 2015 5:07 pm

    If I’m not mistaken, Larry Kahn-Smith, became a HPD officer and then a DEA agent.


  64. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:09 pm

    Hawaii is getting roofed all day…


  65. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:10 pm

    3rd 12 – 19 BYU
    Timeout Hawaii


  66. 3-Prong April 17, 2015 5:10 pm

    Why don’t they play Hartley?


  67. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:13 pm

    He’s on the floor. He just served.


  68. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:22 pm

    UH lose… 17 – 25


  69. seewhy April 17, 2015 5:23 pm

    UH loses possession of 1st in MPSF rankings.


  70. jm2375 April 17, 2015 6:10 pm

    Oh well.
    Tomorrow is another day.

    BTW, the last time the Warriors finished the regular season at home was 2011. How fair is that??????? Gotta complain to the MPSF.


  71. lawaia April 17, 2015 6:18 pm

    jimmy the lock: Jimmy there’s a difference when you’re playing a game vs sitting behind a keyboard and talking smack. As a player you can handle it on the playing field which Norm did. I doubt these trolls could front Coach Chow with their comments. I’m over 60 and consider myself as being “strong willed”. lol


  72. A-House April 17, 2015 8:07 pm

    #36:

    NO!


  73. Warriorfan April 17, 2015 8:21 pm

    Never seen Zarkovic play that bad offesively, that and Sedore not having a great night either= disaster for warrior volleyball team. Oh well would have been nice to get 8,000 plus at the SSC for the semifinals, now Irvine will barely get 2,000.


  74. Warriorfan April 17, 2015 8:22 pm

    Also Hartley should have been given a look, not sure why he didn’t, Wade had no problems subbing out Sedore and Franciskovic, so not sure why he kept Zarkovic in all match long.


  75. cappie the dog April 17, 2015 9:11 pm

    44.

    The chair-throwing incident just reminded me of the time the UCLA softball coach threw away their second place trophy in the garbage can.

    Does anybody remember the controversy behind UCLA’s pitcher Tonya Harding? She was Australian and stuck around for a single season.

    She is a maverick.

    She is the original one-and-done.


  76. cappie the dog April 17, 2015 9:19 pm

    57.

    Hawaii at BYU: 1993.

    Actual words that came out of my mouth at my late grandmother’s house in Waimalu: Holy crap! Why are you throwing the ball?

    Brian Gordon: great receiver, but I think he has the second most famous dropped pass in UH football history.


  77. 3-Prong April 17, 2015 11:30 pm

    This year, Hawaii has been their best when Hartley was in the rotation. siki is awesome, but the team seems to be a little better when Hartley gets more time. They made that great run when siki was hurt. Hartley stepped in and they were on fire. The last few games, I thought maybe Hartley was hurt or something since wade wasn’t bringing him in.


  78. Akamai Okole April 18, 2015 6:57 am

    Great Morning All!

    Bounce back, VolleyBows!

    Let’s Go Bows!


  79. Stephen Tsai April 18, 2015 7:49 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=30223


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