There are radar guns set up in the Stan Sheriff Center that measure the speed of players’ serves.
There is nothing to measure the speed of Hawaii’s offense.
The Rainbow Warriors made good on their promise that their game would be quicker — much quicker — this season, making quick work of British Columbia in an exhibition men’s volleyball match Friday night. Hawaii needed 100 minutes to sweep the defending Canadian collegiate champions, 25-17, 25-17, 25-19.
Senior setter Joe Worsley was impressive, turning in a double-double (25 assists, 14 digs), and junior hitter Colton Cowell was explosive in the second start of his career with a match-high 10 kills. Junior middle Patrick Gasman was in on all four of Hawaii’s blocks and sophomore libero Gage Worsley, making his first collegiate start, had six digs.
“Nothing is a surprise with my brother any more,” Gage Worsley said of his older sibling. “And that’s what we see with Colton every day in practice.
“I think we started out well then we stepped off the gas, especially coming off the 10-minute break (after Set 2). We need to come out of the gate strong every time.”
The Thunderbirds got six kills each from freshman hitter James Takken and sophomore hitter Nick Mickelberry. Sophomore hitter Coltyn Liu finished with 10 digs for the Canadians, who are 6-14 midway through their season.
“Their speed caught us a little off guard,” UBC coach Mike Hawkins said of the Warriors. “Even when we did a good job of setting up a solid block … they’re just smart attackers. Their setter obviously does a great job dishing the ball and does a good job of changing the tempo of his sets.
“It was definitely a good crowd, the biggest crowd we’ve seen so far this year. I was here a few years ago with another university (Thompson Rivers) and one thing I noticed is how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. It’s just nice.”
A crowd of 1,849 saw Hawaii impress early, with the Warriors not committing a hitting error until late in Set 1. Hawaii was siding out 100 percent until Stijn van Tilburg’s attempt hit the right antenna, cutting the Warriors’ lead to 22-14.
Hawaii continued to be very efficient, again siding out at 100 percent until late in Set 2. UBC didn’t string together consecutive points until scoring three in a row — two on Warriors errors — to close to 18-11.
The Thunderbirds were able to cut it to five twice, the last at 20-15, but could get no closer. The Warriors closed it out with a 5-2 run, punctuated by van Tilburg’s ninth kill.
The T-Birds used 13 players, while the Warriors stayed with their starters until Set 3.