UH volleyball star Tuileta: ‘It’s a bummer’

The finality of it all didn’t sink in until he walked into the locker room at the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday and began cleaning out his locker. That’s when, Larry “Tui” Tuileta said it hit hard, harder than any hit he has ever taken as a quarterback at the youth, high school or collegiate level.

Ever.

Saturday’s loss to top-ranked Long Beach State in Saturday’s Big West tournament didn’t just end Hawaii’s season. It ended Tuileta’s collegiate volleyball career, as well as that of reserve defensive specialist Mamane Namahoe.

During Sunday’s return flight to Honolulu, the Rainbow Warriors learned that they would not be going back to Los Angeles this Sunday to prepare for the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive year, and third time in four. The at-large berth instead went to UC Irvine, a team Hawaii had defeated twice in three meetings, including Friday’s Big West semifinal at Long Beach State.

“It’s a bummer how the career ends, a heartbreaker really,” said Tuileta, a senior libero. “We felt we had solidified that at-large, felt confident about it. Then our hopes got taken away.

“Maybe if there was a more logical reason then it would make it better. But I don’t know how we aren’t still playing and (the Anteaters) are, especially since we just beat them pretty convincingly. It got taken away just like that.

“We lost our shot at being national champions. That’s all you want in sports, to have the opportunity to play the game and see who is the better team.”

Hawaii was the better team on the scoreboard for 19 of its 27 matches, including being the only one to defeat No. 1 Long Beach State. The 49ers had dropped only eight sets when they came to the Stan Sheriff Center two weeks ago; they left with an additional five after surviving in five on April 13 and the losing in five the following night.

Also, based on the updated numbers released on Monday, the Warriors were the better team against the Anteaters in the Ratings Percentage Index — UH at No. 4, UCI at 6 — and strength of schedule — UH 1, UCI 10. Although it isn’t considered a factor, the coaches also agreed, voting Hawaii No. 4 and UCI No. 5 in Monday’s AVCA Top 15.

The highlights of the season saw Hawaii:

>> win its first seven matches, the best start since 1996 (13-0), leading to a No. 2 ranking in the coaches’ poll;

>> make its first road trip to Tennessee as the headliner for the inaugural Grow the Game Challenge;

>> start off senior-night festivities with that marathon win over the 49ers, snapping a five-match losing skid against the Beach;

>> taking the two-match series at UC Santa Barbara for the first time in program history.

Individually, junior hitter Stijn van Tilburg became the 17th Warrior to reach 1,000 kills. Van Tilburg will return with 1,053 kills, eight shy of passing Brian Poppinga (1986-90) for 16th in the record book.

Van Tilburg also repeated as a first-team all-conference selection, joined by teammates Joe Worsley, a junior setter; sophomore middle Patrick Gasman and Tuileta. Sophomore opposite Rado Parapunov was an honorable mention and Gage Worsley, the heir-apparent to Tuileta at libero, was named to the all-freshman team.

Hawaii also retained the national attendance crown, averaging 3,856 per match to BYU’s 3,456, and had the highest single-match attendance nationally with 5,989 for the Outrigger Resorts Invitational final against the Cougars. Hawaii has been the attendance leader 19 of the past 23 seasons, with BYU tops four times since 1995.

As of Monday, the Warriors led the country in assists (12.74 aps), with Joe Worsley second nationally (11.02).

There were some real lows as well. Hawaii lost four in a row during a nine-day span, the last three coming on the road. The Warriors were 2-4 in true away matches, although they went 4-0 in neutral-site matches, including three in Tennessee.

Hawaii also saw its 14-match conference home winning streak snapped, coincidentally by UCI on Feb. 25.

Hawaii returns 15 letter-winners, including five starters and a hybrid sixth that saw junior Brett Rosenmeier and sophomore Austin Matautia share the L2 (second left-side hitter). Rosenmeier and Dalton Solbrig are part of the 2019 senior class, along with Joe Worsley and van Tilburg.

The Warriors redshirted three freshmen in defensive specialist Nathan Yung (‘Iolani) and middles Jake Meyer and Max Rosenfeld. They also signed high school seniors Cole Hogland (‘Iolani), a middle blocker/opposite; and outside hitters Devon Johnson and Filip Hunter.

Hawaii will host the second Big West tournament next April. The Warriors’ schedule hasn’t been confirmed, but among the teams being mentioned for home matches are Pepperdine and Stanford. There also might be a trip to BYU.

“The whole starting lineup is back except me,” said Tuileta, who will be with the U.S. national volleyball team starting next month and back with the football Warriors in fall. “The guys aren’t haven’t a pity party. We could have done more, won more games, and not left it up to chance.

“I feel bad for whoever plays us next year. The boys are coming back and they’re coming back with fire.”