Warriors need sweep at UCSD

The NCAA allows the Hawaii volleyball team to spread the financial equivalent of 4.5 scholarships throughout its roster, a cap that offers players between zilch and several thousand dollars each year.

UC San Diego’s budget allows the Tritons to offer each volleyball player $500 — for the entire academic year.

"I think that buys maybe a couple of meals down at the student center and a book," Triton assistant coach Paul Warren mused. A UCSD student pays about $30,000 in tuition, room and board, and expenses each year.

"When you’re comparing us to everyone else, you’re really comparing apples and oranges," Warren said. "That’s always a challenge for us. We’re competing against all of the top-ranked schools that do have the money."

The bottom line is money will not be the issue when the Warriors and Tritons meet today and tomorrow in UCSD’s RIMAC Arena in La Jolla, Calif.

Here’s the simple math: For the Warriors to qualify for the eight-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs, they need to win both matches, and Long Beach State must defeat Cal State Northridge.

CSUN enters its regular-season finale with a 9-14 MPSF record. The Warriors are 8-14. The Matadors own the tie-breaker over the Warriors.

The Tritons, 4-18 in the MPSF, were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention a couple of weeks ago.

"The biggest struggle we’ve had is consistency, especially at key opportune times," Warren said. "We battle everyone we play. We’re right in just every match. Unfortunately, when we need a play at the very end, in quite a few of our matches, it’s been an under-set or a hitter who just doesn’t quite get the kill when we need it. That translates from a two-point win to a two-point loss."

Pin hitter Carl Eberts is the Tritons’ best attacker, averaging 3.01 kills per set. But the Tritons are hitting .218 overall, and the setter’s job has been split between Mike Brunsting and Garrett Dempsey.

The Warriors, meanwhile, are hopeful of good health for these two matches. Outside hitters Siki Zarkovic and JP Marks, and middle/serving specialist Johann Timmer have missed practices because of ailments. Those three are rhythm-busting servers with powerful arms.

The Warriors have backup options. Jace Olsen can play both left-side positions. Harrison Phelps, who has experience as a libero, can provide accurate passing on the outside.

Opposite Brook Sedore, who had struggled in recent matches, regained his form with a strong performance against the alumni on Sunday.