Hawaii seized the momentum and then the match for a statement-making 23-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 15-12 volleyball victory over UCLA on Saturday night in Pauley Pavilion.
"It was a good night for the Warriors," UH coach Charlie Wade said of his team’s first victory in six road matches this season.
The Warriors defeated the odds in overcoming a late deficit in the fourth set and prevailing in an arena where 19 national championship banners are displayed.
UCLA found offense from left-side hitter Gonzalo Quiroga (21 kills), opposite Robert Page (17 kills) and middle Spencer Rowe (seven kills in nine swings), but the Bruins struggled for rhythm in a stretch from their 17th point of the fourth set until match point.
The Warriors’ tough serves kept the Bruins out of system late. In turn, the Warriors took advantage of mismatches on the right side against blockers Dane Worley and Kene Izuchukwa.
The Warriors committed four kills in 41 swings in the fourth and fifth sets.
"We got some matchups we liked," Wade said. "As the match went on, we took advantage of them."
Outside hitters JP Marks and Siki Zarkovic were exceptional for the Warriors. Marks had 18 kills and hit .407. Zarkovic had 15 kills and hit .407.
"JP and Siki did a nice job of swinging at high hands and scoring in transition," Wade said, noting Zarkovic has gained confidence in navigating against three-man blocks.
The Warriors were swept in three sets in Friday’s match between the teams. A hana hou appeared likely after the Bruins won Saturday’s opening set.
But the Warriors went on a tear in the second, slamming 15 kills without an error in 19 attempts.
The Bruins won the third set and built a 17-14 lead in the fourth. Then on what proved to be a momentum-turning play, Zarkovic hit past a triple block to close the Warriors to 17-15. The Warriors eventually took a 21-20 lead before closing out the set and forcing a fifth.
Marks, Zarkovic and Johann Timmer were key in the decisive set.
Timmer, the serving substitute, started the second set at middle. UH’s strategy was to replace 6-foot-9 middle Davis Holt with a better server and back-row attacker. Timmer was set only once in the final four sets, but he provided powerful serves and an active obstacle at the net. Timmer assisted on two blocks to open the fifth set.
UH also received a boost from Harrison Phelps, who was used as the defensive specialist.
"Harrison has been so good in practice with his energy and leadership and keeping people accountable," Wade said. "We thought (Friday) night we were a little flat, and we needed somebody on the court who was going to keep everyone engaged defensively. He did a great job keeping the blockers attuned to what was going on."
