Of all the luggage the Hawaii volleyball team packed, the most important might be the accelerated recovery performance (ARP) machine.
ARP is an electronic-stimulation device that should help ease the aches and pains of the weary Warriors as they prepare for road matches against Long Beach State Friday and Saturday.
Last week, the Warriors played three consecutive five-set matches, punctuated with the comeback upset over UCLA.
Outside hitter Sinisa Zarkovic and opposite JP Marks were on the court for every single play of the 15 sets.
“It was really exhausting,” Zarkovic said. “It was the first time I played that many sets in a row.”
Marks conceded that “it was pretty sore on my shoulders. My knees were pretty sore. Against UCLA, it doesn’t matter how tired you are. You have to play through it.”
Max Wechsung, who was the starting setter for UH’s first four matches, did not play against the Bruins because of shoulder fatigue. He has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation, including ARP sessions, and was cleared to resume practicing Tuesday. He is expected to play against the 49ers.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” said Wechsung, who admitted the problem was “bothersome” this past weekend.
Wechung recalled asking the trainer if “I was getting worse or if it was sore. He told me I was getting sore from the workouts. That meant I was getting better. It’s really mental. You have to push yourself. You’re not going to get worse in your workouts.”
In Wechsung’s absence, Joby Ramos was the playmaker. Ramos proved to be particularly effective on back sets, which benefitted Marks, who hits on the right side on five of six rotations.
Ramos said he always had a knack for back sets.
“I have no clue why,” Ramos said. “I do practice it a lot, but I also practice my outside sets.”
The most impressive play was when Ramos, who is listed at 6 feet, blocked UCLA’s 7-footer Robert Page. The ricochet was ruled out of bounds, although replays clearly showed it landed inside the line.
“I thought it was in,” Ramos said.
Of his vertical jump, Ramos said, “It was the adrenaline. I didn’t know I could jump that high.”
The Warriors departed Wednesday afternoon. They will practice today at the Pyramid, Long Beach’s arena. There is no decision on the starting setter.