Forget saving the best for last. Hawaii’s getting one of the best out of the way early, opening Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play against one of the nation’s top men’s volleyball teams.

Long Beach State was ranked No. 1 in the AVCA preseason poll. The 49ers, who fell to 2-1 after a road loss to Brigham Young, are now No. 4 entering matches tonight and Friday night in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"They have a very senior-laden team," UH coach Charlie Wade said. "They’re not only one of the preseason favorites to win the league, but the national championship as well."

Punahou graduate Taylor Crabb leads the 49ers with 5.09 kills per set. Crabb was the 2013 national player of the year.

At about 6 feet, Crabb has a powerful swing and a gravity-defying vertical jump of 40 inches. UH associate coach Jeff Hall said Crabb is skilled in making decisions on the fly, so to speak.

"He gets up there, then decides where to attack," Hall said. "He’s one of the best at doing that."

Crabb said: "I don’t really think about it too much. If I see something open, I’ll exploit it."

Chris Crabb said his son began playing the sport when he was 2.

"Since I can remember, my dad was tossing me the volleyball," Taylor Crabb said. "Volleyball has been in my family. All my relatives played. I’ve been around it all my life."

His jumping and passing skills were developed on Waikiki Beach. His family belongs to the Outrigger Canoe Club, the self-styled creator of beach volleyball.

"I’m very excited to be out here playing against Hawaii," Crabb said. "They’re a great team.They have a great culture out here for volleyball and all college sports. It’s very exciting to play in the Stan Sheriff."

LBSU coach Alan Knipe did not indicate whether Dalton Ammerman, who averages 3.88 kills per game, will be available. Ammerman missed the BYU match because of an ankle injury. He was limited during Wednesday’s practice.

"We’re hoping, (but) we don’t know yet," Knipe said.

UH opposite Brook Sedore, who hit .229 in three Outrigger Invitational matches last week, is expected to start tonight.

"I think Brook will be fine," Wade said.

Sedore had 11 kills and hit .350 against Ohio State. The next night, he was pulled after hitting .174 in the first three sets against Penn State. He lasted only one set after hitting .000 against UCLA in the Outrigger final.

Wade and Sedore met after the UCLA match.

"He said he wasn’t worried," Sedore recalled. "Neither was I."

Hendrik Mol replaced Sedore at opposite in the Penn State and UCLA matches.

"We have such depth in our positions," Sedore said. "If I was a coach, I probably would have taken myself out, too. We have two, three other guys on the bench who can come in and contribute. So, if it’s not me (doing the job), it’s another guy on the team."

Wade said the Warriors need to do well early in the season.

"We have to find a way to get wins, especially at home," Wade said. "They’re hard to win on the road."