Contrary to the belief popularly held in sports culture, there can be an “I” in team.

For No. 4 Hawaii, it is personified with the “I” on the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team roster.

Iain McKellar’s natural position is opposite but the fifth-year senior has never hesitated to jump out of his comfort zone if the Warriors needed a middle, a serving sub or a situational blocker. It’s similar to the approach the Manchester, England, native took when playing various positions in football — or soccer as it is called in America — whether it was keeper, striker, left wing or left back.

He has been the jack of all trades and the master of adapting.

“I love playing opposite,” the 6-foot-7 McKellar said as the Warriors prepared for this week’s home stand with No. 8 Stanford. “But I’m happy wherever the team needs me.

“This season, it’s been frustrating sitting on the bench. But we’re winning and that’s the most important thing.“

McKellar, who had 17 starts at middle last year, finds himself third on the depth chart at opposite for the talent-deep Warriors, behind sophomore Stijn van Tilburg, who is tied for second nationally in kills (4.43 kps), and freshman Rado Parapunov. It has limited McKellar’s playing time in matches — just seven sets this season — but it hasn’t limited the role he has played in the practice gym and on the road.

“We’ve benefited from his character, his work ethic and his left arm,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “He’s an impressive young man. We both would have liked for him to have contributed more statistically during his career but we recognize that he has been a real asset, a valuable member of the team the whole time he’s been here.

“I think he’s benefited from playing volleyball in a program that is pretty unique. Playing volleyball at Hawaii is a very special thing and he’s enjoyed being a part of that.”

There is no argument from McKellar, who graduates in May with an economics degree and scholarship offers to continue playing as a graduate student at one of three universities in England.

“I certainly could have played more somewhere else, but I wouldn’t trade that for my experience here,” he said. “I think I’m a much better volleyball player than I would have been anywhere else, even with more playing time, just because of the coaches we have and how competitive this gym gets.

“My dream has always been to play professionally, but the experience here with the fans, the boosters, the media, the medical staff … this is better than the majority of pro teams. I would feel disappointed if I went to a mid-level team, it would be a step down.”

His “surreal” experience with the team’s popularity included an Uber ride a few months ago.

“I got in and the driver says, ‘You’re Iain McKellar,’” McKellar said. “It was nice for me since I’m not someone always in the spotlight, told him, ‘you really are a Hawaii fan.’ He called his daughter and I had a ‘FaceTime’ chat with her while he was driving.”

McKellar’s ride to the sport began when his parents met at a grass volleyball tournament. His recruitment to Hawaii included the 2012 Olympic Games in London that Wade attended.

“The adjustment was easy, the weather an enjoyable change,” said McKellar, who redshirted in 2013. “I had lived away from home before (boarding school) so it wasn’t like flying the bird’s nest. It did hit me one night that I was as far away from my family as I could possibly be, halfway around the world.

“They have been very supportive and because of them I think I’ve coped with (not playing) so well.”

McKellar’s attitude has impressed his roommate of two years.

“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” senior setter Jennings Franciskovic said. “He’s done a great job, supporting no matter what. He’s taken such a leadership role, mentoring Rado, being a team player.

“We would not be the team we are without him.”

McKellar said he’d like to be remembered as a hard worker, someone who was ready to do whatever was asked for the good of the program. When he says “cheers” to his Warrior career, it’s as much as the traditional English word for “good-bye” as it is as a salute to his team.