In volleyball, middle school can be a challenging learning time.

"Blocking is a hard skill," Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said of a middle’s primary responsibility. "That’s one skill you can do really well, but it doesn’t count if the (blocked ball) goes out of bounds."

The Rainbow Warriors have worked extensively on block reads and defense ahead of matches against UCLA on Friday and Saturday in the Stan Sheriff Center. The Bruins run a rat-a-tat offense revolving around outside hitters Gonzalo Quiroga and 7-foot Robart Page.

"It’ll be an interesting matchup," UH middle Taylor Averill said. "With that kind of team that runs that kind of (fast) offense, it’s going to be a test how disciplined we are."

The Warriors’ focus begins front and center. While the Warriors’ middle attack has opened the offense this season, Wade has emphasized the basics.

"A lot of the middles get caught up in the attacking part," Wade said, reminding them: "Your responsibilities are defined by your position. You’re a middle blocker. You’ve got to get out there and block."

The Warriors are averaging 2.7 blocks per set this year after averaging 2.3 in each of the previous three seasons. Their best blocker Averill is in the middle because of need and circumstances.

"I’m still asking myself," Averill said, smiling. His resume includes extensive work at setter, outside hitter and opposite attacker.

Averill took a recruiting visit to UH in 2010 before eventually signing with UC Irvine. After redshirting as a freshman in 2011, Averill transferred to Hawaii. He initially trained as a setter with the Rainbow Warriors.

"At the 11th hour, Jonas Umlauft no-shows," Wade said of UH’s All-America opposite who decided to remain in Germany. "We were stuck without an opposite. We moved (Averill) to opposite."

Averill played the 2012 season despite a shoulder injury that continued to worsen. He was shut down for the final two weeks of the season, and then underwent surgery during the summer.

After that, Wade recalled saying to Averill: "You need to play middle."

Averill is a unique middle who can dig, set and hit out of the back row. Several times, Averill has remained in the back row for a rotation after completing his serving turn. Against UC Santa Barbara, he had eight digs. He has passed 12 serves with only one error this season.

"Middles, a lot of times, are guys who played that position their whole world," Wade said. "They never receive serve. Taylor’s been a six-rotation player. That, in itself, is an advantage having a guy on the floor who’s a bit of a volley guy. He is as good as anyone out of sequence. If the ball comes to him, he can step in and set. And he can pass."

Pin hitters need a wide repertoire to navigate around, over or off blocks. Averill’s compact, downward swing is conducive to quick middle sets. Wade said Averill has mastered cutback and wrist-away hits.

"He’s also good at creating his own separation and not always hitting from the same spot," Wade said. "He moves around a lot."

Averill also is an improved blocker. He is averaging 1.27 blocks per set, up from 0.84 in 2013. His average is the highest for a UH blocker since Steven Grgas’ 1.32 in 2009.

Averill said his background is useful in understanding opposing setters, outside hitters and right-side attackers.

"I think that helps and correlates into how I read," Averill said.

Wade said: "He’s embraced it. We challenged him. You have to be obsessed with becoming a better blocker.’ He’s worked at it. He’s become a very good middle."