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It took 1,628 days and a mid-career makeover for University of Hawaii volleyball player Scott Hartley to become an overnight sensation.
Hartley was instrumental in the Warriors’ five-set upset of second-ranked USC on Wednesday night. The Warriors lost their first two sets when Hartley entered as a replacement for outside hitter Hendrik Mol, who had started in place of injured Siki Zarkovic.
Hartley was productive from the left pin and the pipe (seven kills on .308 hitting), at the net (three blocks), and on defense (six digs, 20 serve receptions without an error). He is expected to start in tonight’s rematch in the Stan Sheriff Center.
"He’s been here five years, and he’s worked hard, and that was his chance to play a significant role in a meaningful match," UH coach Charlie Wade said.
Hartley, who is 6 feet 4, weighed 170 when he first enrolled at UH in August 2010. He admittedly had fun his first two years — too much, apparently. While redshirting as a junior in 2013, Hartley recalled, "I decided what’s important to me is not my social life but my self and my body and this team."
He crafted a program in which he weight-trains with teammates three times a week, and works on his core and lower body two other days. He now weighs 190.
In practices, Wade said, Hartley sometimes is "the best player in the building." But inconsistency limited his opportunities — until Wednesday night.
"I haven’t been able to prove myself too many times, but it’s nice to get an opportunity like that, and show what I’m worth," Hartley said.
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