The Hawaii volleyball team’s first rule in traveling is this: Eat a malasada.

Rainbow Warriors from such diverse origins as Manchester, Serbia, Alberta and Auckland each grabbed one before boarding the bus that would take them to the airport for their first road trip of the season.

"They know how to travel," said coach Charlie Wade, whose Warriors play UC Santa Barbara tonight and Friday in Rob Gym.

Last year, 12 of the 21 Warriors were newcomers, including five who made the first road trip of the season. A year later, setter Joby Ramos, libero Kolby Kanetake and outside hitters Siki Zarkovic and Jace Olsen are starters.

This season, five of 20 players are first-year Warriors. Three freshman backups — outside hitters Kupono Fey and Hendrik Mol and setter Jennings Franciskovich — are traveling to Santa Barbara.

"We just have more guys who have logged more hours on the court, at the airport, all of it," Wade said. "We should be more familiar with what we have to do to travel."

Last year, Kanetake played in 32 of UH’s 120 sets. This season, Kanetake is averaging 2.40 digs per set, and has committed three receiving errors in 120 attempts.

"Having that year of experience under my belt has helped a lot," Kanetake said. "I’m a lot more confident. It feels natural now."

Ramos, who transferred from Pacific in August 2012, also has matured as a setter. With improved passing from Kanetake and the outside hitters, Ramos is able to feed the middles, a tactic that has opened the lanes for the pin hitters. Zarkovic and opposite Brook Sedore have faced fewer triple blocks this season.

Olsen, who transferred from Penn State at the same time as Ramos, has emerged as a dependable hitter, passer and blocker. Olsen is one of four co-captains; most matches, he is designated as the floor captain.

"That comes with getting older," Olsen said. "You get more responsibilities from the coaches. Being in the (UH) program for two years and being in Division I programs for four years, you get a lot of knowledge and wisdom. I like to share it with the younger guys."

The Gauchos have won the past five meetings between the teams, including the final two matches in the Stan Sheriff Center last season. The Warriors then won two road matches against UC San Diego to earn the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s final playoff berth.

Two years ago in Rob Gym, Sedore recalled, "We were playing for last place in the league. We’re not trying to recreate some memories in that gym."

Even without middle Nick West, who will miss another week because of a fractured finger, the Warriors appear to be improved from a year ago. They are 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the MPSF. Olsen said the team is having more fun.

"We get along so well," Olsen said. "It’s pretty easy to mesh when you’re playing alongside your best friends."

Sedore said: "We know we play well when we’re having fun. If we can create that atmosphere on the court, we give ourselves the best chance to win."