Warriors make it a quick night

No television coverage.

No band.

No problems.

The University of Hawaii volleyball team set the tone early, then summoned the reserves to finish a 25-15, 25-14, 25-14 nonconference rout of Hope International on Friday night.

A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 1,669 witnessed the Rainbow Warriors win their ninth to improve to 16-3. The Royals, who compete in the NAIA, fell to 11-10. Saturday’s rematch begins at 7 p.m.

The Warriors dominated all phases, committing seven attack errors in 76 swings and hitting .474.

They also adhered to the strategy of placing serves in play, allowing the block and defense to take control. The Warriors built a block advantage of 14 to 2.5. They had digs on 37 of Hope’s 97 swings. The Royals committed 21 attack errors and hit .056.

The Warriors scored the final eight points of the first set, with outside hitter Siki Zarkovic behind the service line for seven of them. The Warriors scored natural points on nine of Zarkovic’s 10 serves.

"We had an agreement with the coaches to just put the ball in with our serves, and see how our block reacts," Zarkovic said. "It was my job to put the ball in."

Left-side hitter Scott Hartley, who played all three sets, had 13 serves without an error.

"I’m a little sore from last week," Hartley said. "When you get in the game, all the soreness goes away. It’s so much fun to play. I didn’t want to pass up a set. I want to play as much as I can."

After the first set, UH coach Charlie Wade turned to the bench. Setter Alex Jones, opposite Ryan Leung and outside hitter Kupono Fey started the second set. Middle blocker Zach Radner entered in the middle of the second set. Middle blocker Vaughn Wellenrieter started the third set.

Wade’s wish was for the starters to play well enough to allow the second unit — the so-called B side in practices — to earn significant court time.

"As a coach, that’s your intention," Wade said. "But it doesn’t always play out that way."

But on this night, the Warriors followed the script.

Jones, who transferred after being cut by Cal State Northridge last year, was able to divvy up the offense.

"Jones knows how to set the middle," Hartley said. "That’s his bread-and-butter. He’s darn good at that."

Jones set the middle 15 times in two sets.

Leung, who took the circuitous route to his senior season, played the first two years at Pepperdine. He transferred to UH two years ago, but was essentially cut last year. On Friday, despite playing with an injured left hand, Leung pounded six kills and hit .308. He also contributed to three blocks.

With Taylor Averill and Davis Holt completing their UH eligibility at the end of this season, Radner is a leading contender for a middle job. Radner, a third-year sophomore, pondered his volleyball last summer.

"My teammates are always there for me," Radner said. "They’re my best friends. They’re basically my family. I can’t leave them. They make it great."’

From his parents, he inherited athletic ability. His father played in the NFL and could dunk. His mother, who is 5 feet 11, has a strong tennis serve. Radner, who is 6-8, has a 39-inch vertical jump off an approach. In six turns in the front row on Friday, he had four blocks.

"They beat us all the time in practice," opposite Brook Sedore said of the B-side players. "You can pull anyone off our bench and he could be a future All-American."

Service Aces — Hope International 2 (Meyer 2). Hawaii 3 (Hartley, Sedore, Zarkovic). Service errors — Hope International 7 (Blonski 2, Deloney  2, Greene 2, Lopez). Hawaii 8 (Leung 2, Sedoree, Averill, Zarkovic, Mol, Durni, Fey). Assists — Hope International 23 (Beatty 18, Blonski 2, Greene, Lopez, Heirakuji). Hawaii 41 (Jones 28, Franciskovic 11, Zarkovic, Kanetake). T — 1:32. A — NA.