They are Hawaii’s hanai volleyball players from different points of Google maps.

Outside hitter Joshua Walker is from Virginia Beach, Va. Setter Nejc Zemljak was raised in Slovenia. Middle blocker Brennon Dyer is from Santa Barbara, Calif.

Each arrived on the University of Hawaii campus in August 2006 — without a scholarship or a promised volleyball future.

“I know they’ve worked hard to get to where they are now,” UH head coach Charlie Wade said of the three seniors who will be playing their final regular-season matches as Warriors tonight and tomorrow night against top-ranked Southern California in the Stan Sheriff Center.

“Josh Walker is an All-American, and one of the best players in the league,” Wade said. “Nejc made himself into one of the best setters in the country. Brennon had to be a jack of all trades. He can do a lot of stuff. They all have abilities unique in their own regard.”

Walker, who long ago earned the nickname “Sky” for his gravity-defying vertical jump, first played volleyball as a conditioning supplement to basketball.

Soon the backup plan became his first love.

“For basketball, you can have two guys and a hoop in the park,” Walker said. “For volleyball, there aren’t many public places to play. People who don’t know about our sport think of P.E. volleyball. They see you hitting the ball over the net a couple of times. You come to watch a match like ours, you respect the sport.”

Walker had invitations to play basketball and volleyball. He did the math.

“I could play Division II basketball in Virginia or Division I volleyball in Hawaii,” he said. “I think I made the right decision.”

Brennon Dyer will play his final regular-season home match this week against Southern California

Walker, who was scouted by UH coaches at mainland tournaments, did not take a recruiting trip to Hawaii. His first time in the 50th state was a few days before the start of the 2006 fall semester.

“We were running all over the place, just trying to get my dorm set up,” he said. “I remember it being a blur the first day. I was flying through Lower Campus. I was trying to absorb so many things.”

Walker did not have time to notice the arrival of Zemljak, who recruited himself.

“As foreigners, we find the teams,” Zemljak said. “I looked up the Division I schools. I sent my profile out. I sent out my tapes. Hawaii was the most tempting one.”

He remembered the anticipation as he boarded the first of a few flights.

“Hawaii is perceived as paradise on Earth,” Zemljak said. “From where I come from, people look at Hawaii as sun 24/7, a lot of surfing, a lot of beaches. That’s the image Hawaii manages to portray around the world.”

The three redshirted during the 2007 season, spending most of their time on the so-called “third court” at UH’s Gym I. That court is where redshirts and development players practice. A few times that year, Zemljak and Walker were summoned to the main practice court.

“I knew if I played well, there was no way I would stay on the third court,” Walker said. “I didn’t look at third court as a bad thing. I thought it was a place to work hard and get better.”

Walker became a part-time starter in 2008. He was immediately an offensive threat, using his powerful right swing to blast spikes from the front left and behind the 3-meter line. But he soon learned that volleyball is about balance, and that defense and passing were just as important. Through self-scouting, he improved his defensive range and block reads, and, in turn, expanded his offensive menu.

Zemljak split setter duties in 2009, then was handed the keys to the offense last year.

Dyer, meanwhile, was used as a pin hitter and designated server before settling at middle blocker this year. He has missed numerous matches after spraining an ankle and has been used sparingly in others as a serving specialist.

“They worked hard, and stuck with the investment in themselves and their careers to get to where they are,” Wade said.

Walker and Zemljak likely will continue playing after this year. Walker is expected to earn a tryout with the U.S. national team. Zemljak probably will play professionally in Europe.