Warriors know it’s time to win or else …

It does not take a bracketology background to figure out the Hawaii volleyball team’s postseason goal.

"Win," UH coach Charlie Wade said, "and advance."

What Wade describes as "single-elimination" time begins Saturday when the Rainbow Warriors host Long Beach State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs. The winner of the league’s eight-team tournament earns an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

Without winning the MPSF tournament, the second-seeded Warriors’ hopes for an NCAA at-large berth rest on a lower seed not winning the playoffs.

Long Beach State poses several obstacles. Alan Knipe coached the U.S. national team in the 2012 Olympics. Taylor Gregory is one of the league’s top middles.

"It’s the MPSF playoffs," Gregory said. ""We’re excited as a team, and ready to go."

Here’s a look at the opponents:

Long Beach State

After Ryan Windisch suffered an injury, freshman outside hitter Bjarne Huus moved to libero, starting 10 of the past 11 matches. Windisch is now healthy. "I like both my liberos," said Knipe, noting the starter will be a match-time announcement.

The 49ers are successfully passing at 95 percent, and are ranked first nationally in digs (10.09 per set) and blocks (2.95). The three starting pin attackers are averaging at least 1.5 digs per set.

Gregory was named to the MPSF’s all-freshman team in 2013. Two years later, he’s the nation’s second-leading blocker (1.53 per set).

"I think as you continue to mature through the league and your experiences through the league, you continue to improve in all areas," Knipe said of 6-foot-7 Gregory. "He’s made big strides in all areas of the game."

As a former high school quarterback, Gregory has a strong arm. Through extensive video sessions and Knipe’s guidance, he has improved his read-blocking and expanded his offensive repertoire. Gregory said he follows LBSU’s plan to "control the controllables."

Gregory also has developed into a disruptive server. In the past five matches, the 49ers are scoring natural ponts on 43.5 percent of Gregory’s serves.

Left-side hitter Cody Martin (2.73 kills per set) and opposite John La Rusch (3.09) provide oomph from the pins. Martin has both a fast arm and quick jump. He averages 0.4 aces per set. In the past four matches, the 49ers score at 43.8 percent on Martin’s serves.

Bryce Yould and John Henry split time at the second middle. "Everybody needs some depth," Knipe said. "You’re going to go through a four-month season, and the grind of the MPSF, there’s no way you’re going to get it done with six guys."

Hawaii

Two years ago, when Taylor Averill was moving from opposite to middle, Wade suggested an expanded strategy. The middle plays in a constricted area. The plan, Wade said, was to jump to one spot but hit to another — volleyball’s equivalent of a no-look play.

But Averill, coming off shoulder surgery, did not have the skill set at that time. Averill then worked with sports-performance trainer Daniel Mar Chong. The strategy was for Averill to lose fat, then gain strength and quickness. Foot speed was important because at 6-7, Averill needed to race to striking spots ahead of taller blockers.

Averill has become such an offensive threat that he now receives quick sets to the back row. With defenses sometimes bunching blockers on Averill, the pin hitters often face one blocker or none.

"Taylor has an impact on matches," Wade said.

In MPSF matches, Averill averages 2.98 kills and 4.02 points per set. He is hitting .500.

"You never see a middle blocker in the top 10 (nationally) in points, but he is," Wade said.

Averill said: "You’ve got to get creative when you’ve got guys committing on you. If not, you’re going to get eaten up. I definitely try to play with how I run my routes, almost like a wide receiver running the hot route, kind of mixing it around and keeping the blockers guessing."

The scouting report says opposite Brook Sedore, who averages 3.51 kills per set in the MPSF, hits what is described as a "heavy ball." While Sedore’s spikes have sharp breaks, giving the appearance of a volleyball slider, the trajectory is a result of velocity.

"I’ve been swinging hard at every ball since I was 14 or 15," said Sedore, a senior. "It’s my attitude and mind-set as a volleyball player. I’m super aggressive. I don’t like to roll-shot or take anything off. I like to hit as hard as I can. It’s a personality thing."

Libero Kolby Kanetake and outside hitters Siki Zarkovic and Kupono Fey give the Warriors stable passing. While Scott Hartley has been used as the serving specialist — he then can hit out of the back row — backup setter Alex Jones is another serving option. Jones has not made an error in 55 serves.