UH finishes sweep of USC

Looking for a second straight win over USC, the Hawaii volleyball team went back to the Middle Ages.

The Warriors returned to the first draft of their playbook, with a simple strategy: Attack from the middle, and defenses can’t double the pin hitters.

The result was a 20-25, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 15-9 victory over Southern California on Sunday in the Stan Sheriff Center.

Left-side hitter Siki Zarkovic contributed 12 kills and opposite Brook Sedore added 11. That production was a result of UH’s return to a focus on the middle.

"We finally got back to running our offense — establishing the middle and getting some back-row presence," coach Charlie Wade said.

"Obviously, you have to pass well to do that. But once you start doing that, it opens up the pins."

UH middles Taylor Averill and Holt were set 11 and 10 times, respectively.

With the sweep of the two-match series — Friday’s match also went five sets — the Warriors improved to 7-12 overall and 6-10 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

The Trojans, who fell to 4-11 in the MPSF, still are one of the most recognizable names in college sports.

"I never thought I’d be sweeping USC in my life," UH middle Davis Holt said. "It’s still surreal seeing ‘USC’ across the net, especially when you beat them. This was crazy."

UH outside hitter JP Marks, who was raised in Germany, said: "I’m not from this country. I don’t know how big this name (USC) is. But I heard from others it’s a big name."

The Trojans are now familiar with Marks, a sophomore who slammed a career-high 22 kills and hit .444.

"He’s a real O-1," UH coach Charlie Wade said, referring to the go-to outside hitter’s role.

The Warriors also used bic sets to attack from the middle just beyond the 3-meter line. Marks and Zarkovic were effective on the bic sets, and Sedore was able to blast away from the back right.

"(USC’s blockers) were all bunched in, and we were able to set some balls outside," Wade said.

UH setter Joby Ramos was a threat in two areas. He spread the offense, especially with his quick back sets. The Warriors scored natural points on 11 of Ramos’ first 14 serves.

Ramos has two types of jump serves — hard and harder. It starts with the spin.

"Coach really emphasized to let it go," Ramos said. "He gave me the green light."

Sedore, who struggled with his serve placements in the first four sets, found his accuracy in the fifth. He served three points in a row, including one that led to an over-pass and another that sliced between two passers for an ace. That run gave the Warriors a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.

"When it came down to it, Brook Sedore was the difference," USC coach Bill Ferguson said. "He played his heart out and executed at the right time."

Marks also fit that description.

A week earlier, Marks was weakened because of an upper-respiratory infection. His health — and parts of his game — slowly recovered. Marks had nine digs and contributed to three of the Warriors’ 11 blocks. For one night, Marks was an offensive power.

"JP was skying tonight," Ramos said. "I can tell when he’s on fire. When he’s like that, of course I’m going to give him the ball."

In individual testing more that a year ago, Marks touched 11 feet 7 off a vertical jump.

"We’ve never done adrenaline testing," Ramos said. "When he’s hyped up, he’s on a whole other level. I have to set him higher than I set anybody else."

Marks said: "The connection we have is good because he sets me high. The most trouble you can get is when the ball is set too low and it’s below my reaching point."

This year, Marks has expanded his repertoire. He now can hit all of the shots.

"I’ve been working on it," Marks said.

The Trojans, meanwhile, passed better than they did in Friday’s match. Christian Rivera provided stability after opposite Tanner Jansen, who appeared to be fatigued, was replaced in the third set. But the Trojans could not match the Warriors’ efficiency.

The Warriors hit a season-high .391. They sided out at 88 percent in the fifth set.

"This team is night and day from last year," Sedore said. "We’re all best friends. After a game last year, you’d see maybe two or three guys hang out together. Now it’s 20 out of 20. We’ll be hanging out together tonight. That’s what’s awesome. We have team chemistry."