Warrior volleyball takes exhibition

The shape of the Hawaii men’s volleyball team is well-rounded.

The Warriors put on a balanced performance in a 25-18, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 exhibition victory over NorCal Premier at the Stan Sheriff Center on Tuesday night.

The Warriors’ dilemma is there might be too many good arms at opposite attacker.

"No problems," UH coach Charlie Wade said, smiling. "There’s a lot to like about this group."

Brook Sedore, a prolific attacker, opened at opposite. But Ryan Leung, who is back after a forced one-year hiatus, and Iain McKellar, a left-hander in a position best suited for southpaws, played well as Sedore’s understudies.

Leung, who started the third set, pounded eight kills.

"It’s the best feeling in the world," Leung said of his return.

Leung, who was a standout at Hawaii Baptist Academy, played two seasons at Pepperdine before transferring to UH. He missed most of the 2013 season because of a foot injury. The next season, he was cut.

"I thought my volleyball career was over," Leung said. "As time went on, I knew I couldn’t live without it. That’s why I dedicated all of last year to trying to make it back on the team."

Leung said he awakens at 5 every weekday, arrives at UH at 6, and then focuses on academics and volleyball until dinnertime.

"My life right now is volleyball," Leung said. "I got rid of all the distractions in my life. I really have to thank Charlie Wade for giving me this opportunity."

McKellar, who was raised in England, also transformed his body — and game — the past year. McKellar, who is 6-foot-7, weighed 175 at the start of last season. He is now 195.

"He’s got biceps now," Wade said of McKellar.

McKellar has developed a full-bodied motion on swings. He also has become an active blocker. In the bonus set, he teamed on two blocks early. He added four kills.

Sedore said the competition is good for the team.

"I’ve been telling our guys, if we want to be successful we have to be the Spurs," Sedore said of the NBA champions. "The Spurs have their Tim Duncans (as starters). But they also have stars coming off the bench who are doing things, who spark fire. That’s what Iain and Ryan and our middles and setters can do. We have people who can come in and turn it on instantly. We have guys on the bench who can push us and make us a better team. We’re more well-rounded than we’ve ever been."

Taylor Averill, an AVCA first-team All-America middle last year, has emerged as a multiple threat. On Tuesday, he had a match-high 13 kills on 21 swings, and contributed to six of the Warriors’ 23 blocks.

In the fourth set, Averill played six rotations, with the libero filling in for McKellar in the back row.

Averill pounded aloha ball on a pipe set.

"It’s fun to play in the back row," Averill said. "You feel you’re really part of the team. It keeps you engaged the whole time, man."

Averill also shed his floats in place of jump serves. In the fourth set, one of his serves clocked 66 mph.

"I was the float-serve guy (last season), and I wasn’t OK with it," Averill said. "I wanted to step up my game and have something else. I’m happy, as of now. I get the green light to (jump) serve."