The first-place Hawaii volleyball team was built on second chances.

Seven Rainbow Warriors will play their final regular-season home matches against Stanford on Friday and Saturday.

"The seniors are unique in that they all have a redemption story to them," UH coach Charlie Wade.

All-America middle blocker Taylor Averill was essentially asked to leave UC Irvine after his freshman season.

Setter Alex Jones was prepared for a beach-volleyball career after being cut by Cal State Northridge in October 2013.

Opposite Ryan Leung transferred from Pepperdine after two seasons and, a year later, was cut by Wade.

Outside hitter Scott Hartley nearly quit last year after finding it difficult to earn practice time.

Libero Garrett Komisarek has played sparingly since transferring from Irvine Valley College in 2012.

As freshmen, opposite Brook Sedore and middle Davis Holt were the reserves playing pepper during timeouts.

"That’s what makes our success so cool," Averill said. "Everyone has such a unique story, myself included. It’s cool we’re able to put all that aside and do work."

Averill healed, matured

A year after transferring from UC Irvine, where he redshirted as a freshman, Averill recalled, "I was at my lowest point. I made a lot of mistakes in my career. I was young."

Averill also was in pain, barely completing his first UH season because of a torn right labrum that eventually required surgery on his swinging arm.

"After my surgery, I needed to mature," he said.

Averill’s arm healed. Then Daniel Mar Chong, a performance trainer, worked on Averill’s body. Averill lost weight through intensive training and a sensible diet, then built strength with isometric and sports-specific workouts.

Averill moved to the middle, where his background as a setter and opposite gave him insight to both the play-maker’s and attacker’s mentalities. Averill is a rare middle who sticks around for an extra rotation to hit out of the back row.

Averill, who was raised in San Jose, said Hawaii has been like home since "the first time getting pitted at Sandy’s. Just walking around and getting accepted by people you don’t even know, it’s like nothing I’ve ever been a part of. They make you feel like family out here."

Jones glad he didn’t quit

It appeared Jones’ indoor career had ended after being cut by CSUN. "I wanted it to be over, too," Jones said. "I wanted to play beach."

CSUN sent out notice of Jones’ release. Wade responded with an offer. Jones declined, insisting he wanted to earn a degree at the end of the 2014 spring semester. After that, Wade called again … and again. Chris Jones implored his son to give it another shot.

Jones was a starter in fall training, then embraced the reliever’s role this season. He came off the sideline to lead comeback victories over CSUN and UCLA. Chris Jones was in the stands for the UCLA match, beaming with pride. That look, Alex Jones said, is "why I came back."

Once cut, Leung hung in

Leung, a mathematics major, knew he faced long odds. "I was down because I wasn’t playing," said Leung, who was cut during the 2013 fall semester. "I started training really hard, and started begging Charlie to put me back on the team."

Leung was reinstated last fall and has contributed as an opposite and serving specialist.

"I’m having fun," Leung said.

Hartley blossomed late

After a rugged practice last year, Hartley was prepared to walk away from the sport. He had worked hard, adding 30 pounds to his 6-5 frame, but could not increase his playing time. Wade implored Hartley to stick it out. This year, Hartley has started several matches at both left-side positions.

"In our stories, all those low points have driven us to greater heights," Hartley said.

Komisarek accepted his role

Komisarek’s three years at UH have been a "roller-coaster ride." He redshirted in 2013 because of an injury. He was used as a float-serve receiver last season. This year, his playing time has been reduced because of Kolby Kanetake’s emergence as a top libero.

"You have to accept your role," said Komisarek, who leads the B squad in giving fits to the starters at practice. "Volleyball is the greatest thing about this place."

Sedore fulfilled a dream

It was during a tournament in his native Canada when Sedore received an offer from Wade. His options: Attend a college in Canada or "go to paradise." He added: "Obviously, I wanted to go to Hawaii."

Sedore played sparingly as a freshman left-side hitter. "I thought I should have had more playing time," he conceded. "It was the classic freshman mind-set."

He moved to opposite the next year, then developed into a go-to hitter.

Sedore admittedly has pangs of homesickness. "I have a great relationship with my parents," he said. "They’re stoked their boy went to university. I’m the first one in my family who could potentially get a university degree."

Holt grew into his body

Holt had raw volleyball skills as a Maryknoll School senior. Asked what he saw in Holt, Wade said, "6-9."

"A lot of people didn’t think I was Division I quality," Holt said. "I didn’t get any real offers from any other school. In my eyes, I’ll bust my ass for (Wade) every day because he gave me that shot. It paid off. I got to play by my sophomore year, which is what a lot of people didn’t think I would be able to do."

There is a possibility Holt will play for the U.S. national team in this summer’s University Games. "That’s really outstanding for him," Wade said.

Holt said: "I grew up (in the Stan Sheriff Center). I remember when I was a little kid chasing down the blimp during halftime and being yelled at by the security guards. Now I see the same security guards when I’m on the court playing."