Neither a split with last week’s second-ranked team nor opposite attacker Brook Sedore’s winning a national award has doused the Hawaii volleyball team’s feistiness.

"There’s a sense of urgency on our team," said outside hitter Scott Hartley, whose Rainbow Warriors (6-3, 4-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) play road matches against California Baptist Wednesday and Friday. "We’re very frustrated, especially myself. … I think this is the most inspired our team has been."

After beating USC last week Wednesday in five sets, the Warriors lost the rematch two nights later in five. The Warriors were up, 13-10, in the fifth set but fell, 20-18.

Moral victory? 

"There is no redeeming quality," Hartley said of that loss. "There is nothing to be happy about."

"We’re looking for more than moral victories, UH coach Charlie Wade said. "You can’t judge success only by winning, but it’s about winning."

USC now shares the No. 2 spot this week with Lewis in the national poll. The Warriors remained at No. 6 and are in fifth place in the MPSF. The top eight MPSF teams make the postseason, with the first four serving as first-round hosts.

Cal Baptist (3-9, 1-8 MPSF) plays home matches in Van Dyne Gym, which features a low overhang near an end line. While the volleyball never touched the low ceiling when the teams played there in 2013, the Warriors are expected to go with shorter tosses and two-step approaches on jump serves.

"We’ll have to change it up a little bit," said Sedore, who was named the national player of the week on Tuesday.

Once again, the Warriors will be without one of their best defensive players, left-side hitter Siki Zarkovic, who has a sprained left ankle and did not make the trip. Hartley, Kupono Fey and Hendrik Mol will rotate at the two left-side positions.

The Warriors practiced for 30 minutes on Monday morning before heading to the airport. They worked out for two hours on Tuesday at Van Dyne Gym.

"It’s a short turnaround," setter Jennings Franciskovic said. "But I think we’re ready."

Wade has implored the Warriors to be more aggressive, particularly on defense and serve-receive. It was that approach that helped libero Kolby Kanetake earn a kill against USC, his first since he played for Moanalua High.

"I was trying to get the ball over the net, but it hit the tape and fell down," Kanetake said. "I know you have to be aggressive and not give them an easy free ball. That’s what I was trying to do, and it paid off. We need to be aggressive in everything we do. That’s been paying off for us, and it shows in our play."