The last time the University of Hawaii volleyball team played a league match the school had only one athletic director and the Warriors were ranked fourth nationally.

Friday’s road meeting against UC San Diego will be the top-ranked Rainbow Warriors’ first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match in 19 days.

Asked about a long break’s impact, UH coach Charlie Wade said: "Do you want rhythm or do you want rest?"

Wade usually fills the holes after receiving the MPSF’s master schedule. He noticed there were back-to-back bye weekends between the matches against Pepperdine on March 8 and UC San Diego on Friday. Wade booked two nonconference matches against NAIA member Hope International to fill one gap. The Warriors won both to extend their overall winning streak to 10 matches.

The Warriors practiced three times leading to last weekend’s bye.

"We’ve been training really hard," middle blocker Taylor Averill said. "I like the way we look right now. It’s been two weeks since we played an MPSF game. I think guys are hungry to keep winning."

Wade said: "When we go into the practice gym, we absolutely go after it."

Setter Jennings Franciskovic said the Warriors were able to work on new plays while gaining needed rest.

"We had some guys who were sick, and some who were injured," Franciskovic said. "The break really helped."

Outside hitter Siki Zarkovic, who had been troubled by a high-ankle sprain, declared: "I’m fully healthy now."

This is a grueling trip. The Warriors play UCSD Friday and Saturday, then play at UCLA on Monday and Tuesday.

"We prepared for it," Wade said of playing four matches in five nights. "We’re embracing it."

The Warriors are 17-3 overall and 12-2 in the MPSF. They are No. 1 in the league and in the national ratings percentage index. UCSD is 2-19 and 0-15.

"We’re taking every game as if it’s a national championship game," Franciskovic said. "That’s what we’ve been doing so far, and our record has been showing that. We have high expectations that we put on ourselves. We think we can play well every game we play."

Wade does not expect a letdown.

"They all count the same," Wade said. "You lose one against San Diego, that’s the same as losing one against Pepperdine. In our league, every night is a playoff game."

Wade noted the Warriors won 13 league matches last year but still failed to qualify for the eight-team MPSF playoffs.

"Thirteen was not enough last year, and we only have 12 right now," Wade said. "We need to get to 13."

The motivation will come from being every team’s favorite opponent.

"You’re always a target when you’re No. 1," Zarkovic said. "I think we can cope with it. When you’re No. 1, you have to practice harder."