Hawaii volleyball coach Charlie Wade has 2016 vision.

Even during this season’s journey that ended in an NCAA play-in loss on Tuesday, Wade already had a sequel in production.

"This isn’t a one-time thing," Wade told boosters during the banquet three weeks ago and then to reporters on Tuesday night.

Wade, who completed his sixth and most successful season as UH head coach, learned a few years ago that to succeed in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation meant to compete in the arms race. More arms — depth at point-producing positions — is key in a league where there are no easy nights. In a sport in which the equivalent of 4.5 scholarships is spread over 20-player rosters, Wade has noted, "every team has good players."

"It’s a grind in our league," Wade added. "It’s brutal. There’s no chance to take a night off or a week off."

The degree of difficulty might become greater. There is talk of dividing the MPSF, with the Big West breaking off into a six-team conference. UH is a member of the Big West in most non-football sports.

With the Midwest strengthening and the NCAA field still set at six, advancing into the postseason is expected to become more challenging.

Wade and his staff believe the answer is to stockpile arms. That depth helped this year. When outside hitter Siki Zarkovic suffered a high-ankle sprain and then Kupono Fey hit an emotional and physical wall, fifth-year senior Scott Hartley emerged. When setter Jennings Franciskovic needed a break, senior transfer Alex Jones guided two comeback victories. Zach Radner also helped when middle Davis Holt had a medical issue.

Seven seniors, including opposite Brook Sedore and middles Taylor Averill and Holt, have completed their UH eligibility. But Wade vowed the 2016 team can "take this thing even further."

The Warriors return Franciskovic and their three best passers — Zarkovic, Fey and libero Kolby Kanetake.

Hendrik Mol, who did not play the past month due to an eye infection, can be used at either outside hitter or opposite.

Iain McKellar, who missed most of the season after having knee surgery, is the first option at opposite. McKellar is left-handed, which is regarded as an advantage for a right-side hitter. UH’s last left-handed opposite was Yuval Katz. There were times when McKellar was the most effective hitter in fall practices.

Wade has projected Zach Radner, who played sparingly this year, will be one of the MPSF’s best middles next year. Radner’s father and grandfather played professional football. Radner, at 6 feet 8, has a 39-inch vertical jump off an approach.

Vaughn Wellenreiter, who transferred from Cal State Northridge last summer, might contend at the second middle. UH also is considering moving setter Kekoa Pukahi, a 6-foot-5 freshman who redshirted this year, to the middle. Another freshman who redshirted, Luke Owens, is in the middle mix. McKellar also can play there.

While watching the MPSF title match last week, Wade noted he tried to recruit several Pepperdine and UC Irvine starters. Conversely, Wade said, those schools did not try to recruit any current Warrior.

The recruiting balance has shifted. The Warriors signed seven players during the fall in a recruiting effort that is considered one of the nation’s best. Three of the recruits played on the championship youth national team. There might be as many as 10 newcomers in the fall. The plan is to redshirt them, although 6-9 middle/opposite Patrick Gasman might find his way into the lineup.

"We feel this program is in a place where it’s going to be in this (postseason) position again," Wade said.