The University of Hawaii volleyball team will have a second chance to make a first impression.

Following two exhibitions against Canada’s Thompson Rivers last week, the Rainbow Warriors open the regular season with this week’s Outrigger Hotels Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors play Ohio State on Thursday, Penn State on Friday and UCLA on Saturday.

"We haven’t played a real match yet," UH coach Charlie Wade said. "We want to see what our guys can do; then we can make adjustments — good, bad or indifferent."

UH and UCLA are members of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, but Saturday’s match will not count toward the league standings.

"It’s still important enough for us to come in and try to win," Wade said. "It’s on our court. We want to do well."

The Warriors used all 17 players on their active roster in Saturday’s five-set victory. Libero Kolby Kanetake, setter Joby Ramos, middle blocker Taylor Averill and opposite attacker Brook Sedore solidified their starting spots.

Jace Olsen, who had 18 kills against two errors in the two exhibitions, appears to have earned a left-hitter’s job.

"Jace played great both nights," Wade said. "He’s been working hard. Hopefully, that continues."

Siki Zarkovic struggled in the first match, with a negative-hitting percentage, but had 10 kills in 14 swings and hit .643 in the rematch. Olsen and Zarkovic are expected to start on the left side against Ohio State.

"If Jace and Siki continue to play like that, the young guys aren’t going to play a whole lot," Wade said.

Averill did not play well in the first exhibition. Afterward, Averill apologized to Wade and promised to do better in the rematch.

"That’s what you want to hear," Wade said. "I thought that was good."

It appears Nick West, who had 20 kills and hit .600 in the exhibitions, has the edge at the second middle. Wade said Davis Holt, Fre Etim-Thomas and Zach Radner remain in contention for a middle spot.

Whatever the composition of the lineup, Wade said, the goal is to minimize self-inflicted mistakes. Last year, the Warriors gave away about 10 points each set on errors in hitting (5.23 points), serves (3.65) and receiving (1.18).

"One thing we really needed to improve on last year was the number of hitting errors," Wade said. "We kept the score people busy. As the hitters have taken it upon themselves to make better choices, and the setters are working on their location, that’s one area we want to be better at."

In the second exhibition match, the Warriors’ first attack error came in the second set, on their 48th swing of the match.