Hawaii men’s volleyball coach Charlie Wade spent Monday’s scouting session with his team talking about North Greenville and guarding against overconfidence in its NCAA tournament opening round match.
After that, everything is up to the Rainbow Warriors.
“It’s really about our level of engagement, because, ultimately, that’s the only thing we can control,” Wade said, “if we can be prepared.”
Last year in Columbus, Ohio, UH was ready to go, and it earned an NCAA championship, and Wade said, “I’m pretty confident the guys get that message (again) and will be prepared.”
Hawaii opens its title defense Tuesday (4:30 p.m., Spectrum Sports) at Pauley Pavillion in Los Angeles, and sophomore opposite/middle Cole Hogland already has taken note of the basketball banners hanging at UCLA’s gym.
“Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) and Bill Walton,” Hogland said. “I’m a big Bill Walton fan, because of the Blazers. My dad grew up in Oregon. So its kind of cool playing there.”
In order for the Big West champion Rainbow Warriors (24-5) to hang another banner at Stan Sheriff Center, they have to get by a North Greenville team that on Sunday became the first member of Conference Carolina to win an NCAA match, beating Princeton 25-21, 25-18, 40-38.
“NGU is a really strong team, and they come out with high energy and maintain that over three sets, especially with the last set ending 40-38, (that’s) pretty remarkable,” junior setter Jakob Thelle said. “Them pulling that out means they play at a high level. We definitely have to match that tomorrow, so that the plan.”
On Monday, Thelle was named to the AVCA All-America first team. Outside hitter Spyros Chakas and middle blocker Guilherme Voss were selected to the second team while opposite Dimitrios Mouchlias was honorable mention. Thelle was named Big West Player of the Year last week and Big West Tournament Most Valuable Player.
“It really validates all the work the guys put into it,” Wade said. “For us to have a whole new crop of four guys getting recognized, it just speaks to the quality of athletes we bring in and how hard they continue to work and evolve.”
Tuesday’s winner meets second-seeded Ball State on Thursday in the semifinals. The first match Tuesday pits UCLA and Pepperdine, with top-seeded Long Beach State awaiting in the semis. UH swept Long Beach State in the Big West final after dropping each regular-season meeting in four sets.
Hogland, an Iolani Schools alum, played in only four matches last season, but he’s intent on helping a new cast of Rainbow Warriors reclaim the magic of last season.
“My role from last year to this year is way different,” he said. “Last year, I was just cruising on the bench, supporting people on the bench.
“This year, I’m on the court. I still try to bring the energy from the bench, keep the guys up and what-not.”
“Along with doing my best at blocking balls and spiking balls from my favorite setter in the world,” Hogland said, putting his hand on Thelle’s shoulder at a news conference. “And serving. And digging. I get plenty of digs.”
