The University of Hawaii volleyball team is proving sunscreen might prevent rust.
After a 16-day layoff, which included the school’s spring break last week, the Rainbow Warriors return to the court to play Brigham Young on Friday and Saturday in the Stan Sheriff Center.
"I don’t remember if they’ve ever had a bye week and spring break coincide with each other," coach Charlie Wade said. "Some of them got to go out and enjoy Hawaii a little bit, which doesn’t happen nearly as much as it should."
The Warriors appeared to be refreshed when they resumed practice Monday.
"We looked really crisp," Wade said. "We were hitting for a high percentage."
Wade said the Warriors were physically spent after defeating Pacific on March 18, their fourth road match in five days.
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RAINBOW WARRIOR VOLLEYBALL
At Stan Sheriff Center
>> Who: No. 2 Brigham Young (18-4, 18-2 MPSF) vs. Hawaii (13-10, 11-9)
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
>> TV: OC Sports (Ch. 16), Saturday’s match only
>> Radio: Both matches, KHKA (1500-AM)
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The break "came at a good time," Wade said. "We were really dinged up. We had some (injuries to) shins, knees, ankles."
Wade said outside hitters Jace Olsen and Siki Zarkovic have had good practices this week.
"Everyone on our team has fresh legs now," Olsen said. "After a long season, any time you have a week to rest, you don’t take it for granted. It was a long trip, and it’s been a long season. We started on Dec. 26."
Wade said opposite Brook Sedore has completely healed from an ankle injury suffered against Pacific.
"I think there’s zero effect from the ankle," Wade said. "It wasn’t that bad."
Hendrik Mol finished the Pacific match in Sedore’s absence. Johann Timmer, the serving specialist, played left-side hitter in place of Zarkovic.
Olsen and Zarkovic are expected to start against BYU. Mol, who also can play on the left side; Timmer and freshman Kupono Fey might work their way into the rotation.
"We have a lot of depth, and, I’m sure, guys can step in when called upon," Wade said.
The Cougars are ranked second nationally and lead the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with an 18-2 league record.
Taylor Sander is the Cougars’ best attacker, averaging 4.70 kills per set on .347 hitting.
Former UH head coach Mike Wilton is a BYU assistant.
