Warriors stun UCLA in 5

In the celebration of the Hawaii’s volleyball’s astonishing 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 16-14 victory over UCLA, Joby Ramos stood in dazed appreciation.

"I’m speechless, just speechless," said Ramos, a setter who steered the Warriors’ improbable comeback. "I can’t describe how this feels."

The Warriors, winless in their first four matches of the season, including the first two rounds of the Outrigger Invitational, faced yet another setback.

But they managed to produce two rallies — in the fourth set and the dramatic first-to-15 final set.

UCLA, the most successful team in men’s volleyball history, were serving aloha ball at 14-11.

But UH outside Sinisa Zarkovic slammed an angle shot to give the Warriors a stay.

Then UCLA’s 7-foot opposite attacker, Robert Page, hit long on a line shot, reducing the margin to 14-13.

The Bruins called time, but it only provided more time of reflection for Johann Timmer, the UH server.

On the ensuing sequence, Zarkovic hit a set that just landed in front of the end line to tie it at 14.

The Warriors took the lead, at 15-14, when UCLA’s Gonzalo Quiroga hooked a shot that landed wide left.

Quiroga is the Bruins’ best left-side hitter. But he did not start in the tournament’s first two matches because of what he called an abdominal strain. He was cleared to start on Saturday night.

It was Quiroga who got the final set, which he again hit wide left, setting off the on-court jubilation of the Warriors’ first victory of the season.

The win also snapped a 12-match losing streak by the Warriors, 10 of them at home.

Timmer, who served the Warriors’ final four points, was a starter last season before suffering several ailments. He has been used as a reserve outside hitter and serving specialist this year.

Still, he was cool when summoned late in the fifth set.

"It’s pressure," he admitted of his role, "but we work on it every week in training. We play for this opportunity. Down 14-12, this is what we play for."

Timmer said he would like to start, but "our outsides are doing a good enough job. I’m trying to work my way in, but how can you when our outsides are playing so well? They’re doing a great job."

JP Marks, who moved to opposite, has emerged as the go-to hitter. He led the Warriors with 18 kills and hit .324.

But Zarkovic, a native of Serbia, and Jace Olsen, who transferred from Penn State, have provided offensive and emotional sparks as left-side hitters.

Zarkovic finished with 17 kills. Olsen had six kills, but used sizzling serves to keep the Bruins out of rhythm several times.

The UH bench also has been instrumental. Ramos was a reserve until last night, when he made his first start. Ramos is a Roosevelt High graduate who was at Pacific the past two years.

Penn State 3, Ohio State 0

Led by brothers Aaron Russell and Peter Russell, the Nittany Lions cruised to a 26-24, 25-17, 25-22 sweep in the third round of the Outrigger Invitational.