WAILUKU, MAUI » The Hawaii volleyball team went to the Valley Isle — and, seemingly, back in time — for a 26-24, 18-25, 25-19, 25-20 victory over California Baptist last night.

For one nonconference match, War Memorial Gym conjured volleyball memories of 1980s and early 1990s Klum Gym, with an SRO, ti-leaf-waving crowd of 2,047 that became a collective noise-maker.

"It was a great atmosphere for the guys, great environment for the neighbor island fans," UH head coach Charlie Wade said. "It was really a fun environment."

For the Warriors’ first regular-season match on Maui, UH tried to replicate the Stan Sheriff Center environment. The travel party included statisticians, cheerleaders, promoters, and arena announcers Ben Kia’aina and Billy V. The fans, in turn, filled the 2,000-seat facility with energetic support.

"It was amazing," said UH left-side hitter Joshua Walker, who hammered 17 kills. "It was so loud."

Walker said he has heard the stories of UH volleyball infancy, when the men’s and women’s teams played to capacity crowds in sweltering Klum.

"It seemed like this match was just like that, with a loud crowd right up close, and players sweating on the floor," Walker said. "Everyone in the crowd was into it."

Even CBU, the NAIA’s top-ranked team, came away impressed, despite its second loss to the Warriors in as many nights. The Warriors won in three sets in Honolulu.

"I love the island, seriously," said CBU opposite attacker Sebastien Steigmeier, who slammed a team-high 14 kills. "The people are so nice, so kind to us. People I don’t know came up and wished me well. It was nice to play here."

Pleasantries aside, both teams entered the rematch with the same strategy: Serve the heck out of the ball.

That aggressive approach and the shorter space behind the end lines contributed to a combined 41 service errors — 23 by the Warriors, who committed 12 Friday night, and 18 by the Lancers.

"I think both coaches told the players to go for it (on serves); I’m pretty sure our coach did," UH libero Nick Castello said. "That’s good. That’s how you score, by being aggressive."

In the first two sets — in part because of anxiousness, in part because of the new environment — the Warriors servers struggled with their aim.

"We shortened the game too much for them," said Wade, noting the Warriors committed errors on 29.5 percent of their serves in the first two sets. "I don’t know if it’s because it took us a while to get used to the gym, or whatever. We served great (Friday) night. This time, we needed to settle down, and we did."

One of the keys was in the third set, after the Lancers closed to 18-17. Off a three-step approach from the left side, Walker hit a spike that bounced just in front of the end line. Then backup setter Sam Biscaro replaced middle blocker Jarrod Lofy behind the service line. Biscaro served three points to boost the Warriors’ advantage to 22-17.

In the fourth set, leading 17-16, the Warriors scored three in a row with Walker serving, including an ace that ricocheted off libero Mike MacNeill’s left shoulder.

"I’m trying to be aggressive," Walker said. "That’s one of the ways to help us score points."

It also was somewhat of a payback for Walker, who was targeted by the CBU servers during the series.

"They have great passers, but we tried to get points where we can," CBU setter Blair Penner said.

"They’re a real tough serving team," Walker said. "The fact that we were able to minimize our errors kept us in the game. Lots of teams are going to attack me all season. I have to be ready."

The Warriors eventually were able to defend Steigmeier, who joined the Lancers on Dec. 26 after fulfilling a commitment to the Swiss Army. Steigmeier, a threat from the front corners, the back right and behind the service line, has a powerful right swing that can launch spikes an estimated 65 mph.

"Once you hear his footsteps, I kind of duck my head at the net in case he misses," Penner said. "It’s fun to set a player like that."

But Castello was able to absorb some of Steigmeier’s best shots.

"At first it was hard, but after you see a couple, you get in a groove," Castello said.