Eclectic mix adds texture to the team

Symbolism can be found in Hawaii volleyball player Iain McKellar’s Styrofoam container.

"Barbecue chicken, rice and mochi," said McKellar, who was raised in England, of his preferred choices. "I really like the food here."

The Rainbow Warriors are as diverse as McKellar’s mixed plate. Of the 14 players on the active roster, five are international students attending UH on visas. Starting left-side hitter Sinisa "Siki" Zarkovic was born in Cyprus and raised in Serbia. Starting opposite Brook Sedore is from Alberta, Canada. Serving specialist Johann Timmer is from New Zealand, and freshman outside hitter Hendrik Mol is from Norway.

"It’s interesting," said middle blocker Davis Holt, a Maryknoll School graduate. "You get to see what people are like all over the world without having to leave home. I probably would never have met guys from these countries if we weren’t teammates."

The Rainbow Warriors have an internationally diverse history, with many of the program’s best players Yuval Katz, Costas Theocharidis and Jonas Umlauft growing up overseas. This year, Milan Zarkovic Siki’s father has joined the coaching staff. He was a long-time head coach of Serbia’s Junior national team.

Head coach Charlie Wade did not have a global blueprint in assembling the team. Timmer, a senior, was recruited because of his athletic background as a rugby player and track competitor. Zarkovic and Sedore were successful in international competition. Mol is an accomplished beach volleyball player who can play multiple positions. McKellar, a left-handed opposite, fills a role as coveted as a lefty reliever in baseball.

"We have guys who have had some unique experiences playing, so they bring a little something different to the gym, to the team, in terms of volleyball," Wade said. "There’s not just one way. People all over the world do different things in volleyball. The more people you have who can help share in that and look at things differently, that’s good. It’s a very diverse group of volleyball experience."

Wade said communication was key in meshing styles.

"Obviously, there has to be a level of trust," Wade said. "We may be asking them to do things differently than they’ve done it. They understand the reason behind that is to get better."

Wade added: "I think you coach differently for different personalities regardless of where their driver’s license is from. People are different. I had a professor who once told me: It’s not human nature to treat everyone the same.’ In terms of performance and how they process information, those things change from person to person."

Timmer has had to learn to adjust to a specialty role. Zarkovic and Sedore have had to refocus their emotions. "I used to be aggressive and wear my emotions on my sleeve in a negative way," Sedore said. "Now I’m trying to put my emotions into positive energy."

Mol and McKellar are learning patience while awaiting playing time.

"So far, so great," Zarkovic said of his time at UH. "The whole team gets together. It’s great."

Mol said: "The whole experience has been really nice. It’s a whole different culture and climate here. I was sweating at the start. I got used to it eventually. It’s really nice to just have to wear shorts and a T-shirt. I don’t have to wear a sweater anymore."

Mol also has embraced the cuisine.

"I love poke," he said. "I like kalua pork and (laulau), too. I’ve had some good experiences with the cuisine so far."

Multicultural Warriors

Johann Timmer, Sr., OH, Auckland, New Zealand
Hendrik Mol, Fr., OH, Sand, Norway
Brook Sedore, Jr., OPP, Grand Prairie, Canada
Sinisa “Siki” Zarkovic, So., OH, Belgrade, Serbia
Iain McKellar, Fr., OPP, Macclesfield, England