Hawaii associate coach Jeff Hall can understand both sides when UH and Pacific meet in volleyball matches tonight and Saturday night.

Hall had a role in recruiting all but one of Pacific’s starters. Hall was a UOP assistant coach before joining the Warriors in the summer of 2010.

"I know those players pretty well," Hall said. "It’s pretty neat. I get to say I’ve had a little to do with both teams playing."

Hall’s past relationship with the Tigers was helpful in preparing a scouting report — to a point.

"He has a pretty good handle," UH coach Charlie Wade said. "But like anything else, it’s not how much he knows it, it’s what they" — he pointed to the Warriors — "can understand. We give them the information (about an opponent) every week. They have to pick up on it."

In a unique twist, Hall recruited Roosevelt High’s Joby Ramos to Pacific. Ramos had attended the Tigers’ summer volleyball camps.

But four months after Ramos committed, Hall accepted the coaching position at Hawaii.

"I kind of felt betrayed, I guess, a little bit," Ramos said.

After two seasons, Ramos decided he wanted to transfer. After securing a release, he contacted Hall. Ramos is now the Warriors’ starting setter.

"It all worked out in the end," Ramos said.

Hall said: "I always wanted to coach Joby. Ironically, I have the chance in Hawaii."

Hall said it was not easy to leave his alma mater. But he said Tom Shoji, his mentor, told him about the resiliency of players.

"He said athletes always get over a coach leaving the quickest … the players move on pretty quickly," Hall said. "I’ve taken that to heart."

Hall said he remains grateful to Pacific coach Joe Wortmann, whom he describes as a mentor.

"He’s my former coach, my former boss," Hall said. "He’s a guy who gave me an education and gave me a job. So when we win this weekend, it’ll be bittersweet."

Hall said the UH opportunity was too good not to accept.

"It’s a no-brainer to come to Hawaii," Hall said. "They have the best fans in the world and one of the greatest programs in our sport. In that sense, it was easy to make the change."

Tonight’s match features teams with different styles.

Pacific emphasizes serving inbounds and putting trust in the block, defense and transition game. The Tigers are near the top in serving accuracy but near the bottom in aces.

The Warriors try to force opponents out of rhythm with jump-spin serves. They were one of the toughest-serving teams until last week’s back-to-back road losses to California Baptist.

The Warriors expect to regain their serving form this weekend. On Thursday, they practiced in the Stan Sheriff Center for only the third time this year.