The clapping is slow and methodic, the accompanying chanting riding along.

“Ewa.” “Beach.” “Ewa.” “Beach.”

The fans in the Stan Sheriff Center find their rhythm just as Austin Matautia finds his while going through his serving routine. While his Hawaii teammates are cheered on with variations of their names when on the service line, what Matautia hears is his hometown of Ewa Beach.

It is the call of home, the one the Moanalua High product heard and answered when he decided to play for the Rainbow Warriors.

“I wanted to play in front of family and friends,” the sophomore outside hitter said as No. 2 Hawaii prepared for tonight’s match with No. 13 Concordia. “The best thing (about playing for the Warriors) is walking out into the arena, seeing my parents before the game starts, seeing them smiling, then seeing them after.

“That’s a big part of wanting to play here. You aren’t just representing yourself, you are representing your family.”

His family has represented the sport well. Parents Martin and Shelly met in Germany while playing on All-Army volleyball teams; sister Gabby, the UH team manager, played at Temple.

Ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2016 by Volleyball magazine, Matautia had many options when he was being recruited by other top programs such as Penn State, UCLA and UC Irvine.

His explosiveness, athleticism and dynamic arm swing were attractive to many who didn’t see the 6-foot-3 Matautia as being undersized because of his jumping ability and 11-5 touch.

He had 12 starts as a true freshman, including the first nine matches of 2017. But last fall saw him hobbling around on knees that were recuperating following treatments for torn tendons in both patellas.

The platelet-rich plasma injections gave him relief, as well as first-hand knowledge of his intended profession: nurse. But it had him fall behind in fall camp and he hasn’t been able to break into the lineup for the talent-deep Warriors. playing sparingly in 10 of 11 matches, all but one as a reserve.

“There’s not much that is keeping him out,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “I almost started him Sunday (against UC Irvine). Our concern has been the physical side.

“When he’s come in, he’s done well. His numbers have been really good (.hitting .430, serve-receive at .951). He’s dynamic, a gifted athlete. We want to get him in the game more.”

“He’s one of those guys who comes in and stabilizes,” junior hitter Brett Rosenmeier said. “He’s really improved his passing, has really stepped it up.”

Rosenmeier and Matautia were part of the Hawaii “Gang of Four” that made up a third of the U.S. Junior National Team last summer. (Sophomore middle Patrick Gasman and freshman libero Gage Worsley were the others). The competition included the FIVB U21 World Championships in the Czech Republic.

Matautia was the last player chosen, having to wait for the U.S. coaches to decide whether to have Long Beach State’s TJ DeFalco on the senior team or on the junior team. Matautia has had to add patience to his skill set.

“It is hard not playing,” he said. “But you just have to keep working hard.”