It was a chance to play someone else, even if that “someone else” looked pretty familiar. Last night’s scrimmage between the Hawaii men’s volleyball team and Kailua Volleyball Club had the feeling of a varsity-alumni match with the 60 or so fans lounging on the McKinley High gym bleachers likely recognizing more players from KVC than that on the UH roster.

Still, Hawaii showed that a combination of youth and potential can sometimes prevail over experience. Add some confident returnees into the mix and the Warriors provided a glimpse of what could be two months from now … a tough-serving athletic squad.

“We’ve been practicing really hard and it’s good to be able to get a look at what some of our guys can do in game situations,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “We are young at some positions, inexperienced at some positions. It’s good to get out and place somebody else.”

Led by the serving of senior hitter Steven Hunt and some impressive kills by sophomore transfer Nick Marks and freshman JP Marks from Germany, Hawaii topped KVC 25-23, 25-23, 27-25. (A fourth set was played with UH winning 26-24.)

Hunt and senior middle Jarrod Lofy ARE the experience for the Warriors, who have some rebuilding ahead. Gone are All-America opposite Jonas Umlauft and three-year starting setter Nejc Zemljak.

“But what I like about this team is that they want to get better,” said former Warrior Maulia LaBarre, a volunteer coach this season. “There’s a lot of potential; they’re aggressive but still humble.”

Hawaii finishes out its fall season with an intrasquad scrimmage Friday at the Maryknoll High gym. Admission for the 7 p.m. match is $5, with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.