Fey’s all-around game just what Warriors need

The past few weeks, University of Hawaii volleyball player Kupono Fey has been on a roll.

Wherever he goes, Fey carries a metal cylindrical roll. He then will place the roll on the ground, and use it to ease the stiffness and aches in his back and legs.

"It helps a lot," said Fey, who also has been on a figurative roll in recent matches.

In a victory over UCLA, Fey hit .500 while providing steady passing. Two weeks ago, he pounded a career-high 19 kills against Brigham Young. Last weekend, Fey had 17 kills, hit .387 and produced 12 digs in a three-set sweep of Long Beach State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament.

Fey is expected to be a key player in Thursday’s semifinal match against Pepperdine in Irvine, Calif.

"It’s a must-win, definitely," said Fey, a sophomore. "We have to play with confidence and start with an early lead. We didn’t really do that against Long Beach. We have to take it to them."

Fey had issues with confidence when he endured a mid-season slump. He then turned to assistant coach Milan Zarkovic for guidance. Fey said he went through a drill "that incorporates everything — serving, digging, passing, hitting."

Fey also worked on his four-step approach and arm swing. Fey is at his best in volleyball’s version of the give-and-go when he receives a serve, then pounds the return set from Jennings Franciskovic.

"J puts it up, and I try to go after it," Fey said. "I don’t let the ball come to me. I go to the ball."

Franciskovic noted that Fey has been an unheralded passer. "He always plays really great defense," Franciskovic said. "He went extra with Milan, working on his arm swing. It shows."

Zarkovic downplayed his contribution to Fey’s rejuvenated game.

"It’s not me, it’s him," Zarkovic said. "He is the one who has the ability."

Zarkovic said players are "analyzed" after every match and practice. Head coach Charlie Wade, Zarkovic and assistant coach Spencer McLachlin then craft a program to fit each player.

"We don’t say, ‘This is the drill that makes you better,’ " Zarkovic said. "No, this (drill) is one process. We combine the American way and the way I  bring (from Europe). We try to find the best way."

Fey said: "I kept working hard and working with Milan. That was a huge thing. It paid off."

Fey also praised Franciskovic. Against Long Beach, the Warriors had difficulty scoring points from the right side. Franciskovic then went to the left, setting Fey 31 times.

"It was great setting," said Fey, who has mastered the crossing shot that bites just in front of the right sideline.

Franciskovic "put me in a better situation," Fey said. "A quick arm swing gets me that angle."

Middle Taylor Averill said: "Kupono has been playing strong. He’s peaking at the right time."