There are rivalries.
And then there is blood.
There may be no more intense competition than the one between siblings. That will be on display big time tonight and tomorrow at Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid in matches that will decide the regular-season title in Big West men’s volleyball.
Top-ranked Hawaii and the defending NCAA champion 49ers have developed quite the rivalry over the past few seasons, but it doesn’t touch the one between No. 2 for the Green and White, and No. 30 for the Black and Gold.
James Anastassiades is “26 months older, 4 inches shorter and 10 times stronger,” the 6-foot-5 Rainbow Warrior junior hitter said when asked about his brother Alexander, a 6-8 redshirt freshman opposite for The Beach.
“We’ve been very competitive growing up,” James said. “We’ve played on the same volleyball and basketball teams before, and that is fun, but it’s always fun to compete against your brother.
“We love each other, but on the court it’s every man for himself. Getting the opportunity to play against him will be super fun.”
Neither has started this season, with James playing in 56 sets mostly as a serving sub with some front row (20 kills, six aces, 21 digs, three blocks). Alexander has played in 15 sets in the front row (four kills, two blocks, one assist).
Though he redshirted last season, Alexander can still claim bragging rights in the series. The 49ers won two of three meetings with the Warriors in 2018, including the conference tournament final played at the Pyramid.
“We can’t wait to compete against each other in what are to be great and competitive games this weekend,” Alexander wrote in an email. “I’m so proud of everything James has done for the UH program, as well as his teammates. He’s come so far from where he began when he first arrived at Hawaii.
“The work he has put in relentlessly each day has truly paid off for him and it shows.”
“I talk to my brother all the time and I know our two teams are working really hard,” James said.
The brothers, originally from Cyprus, committed to a diet and workout regimen over the summer that has benefited both of them as well as their teams. Had it not been for Long Beach State’s straight-sets loss on March 23 at USC, tonight’s match would not only feature Nos. 1 and 2 but also two unbeatens.
“Two brothers on opposite sides makes it that much more fun,” Hawaii assistant coach Josh Walker said. “You already have that sibling rivalry, and Long Beach is as much of a rival as anybody we’ve played. For them, it’s the epitome of rivalry.”
Parents Nikos and Beth Anastassiades are trying to stay neutral. Beth designed T-shirts that will debut tonight and read, “Volleyball House Divided,” with the logos of the two schools on the front, and “Anastassiades” in English and Greek on the back.
“It is very cool, we are very excited to watch them both,” Beth said. “We’re very proud of them. There is a rivalry, but they support one another.
“We are going to try and sit on our hands and root for both teams.”
The family moved from Cyprus to Huntington Beach, Calif., in time for James’ senior year at Huntington Beach High. Nikos Anastassiades credits the Hawaii coaching staff for the move to America.
“Hawaii had a huge role,” he said. “We are forever thankful to Charlie (Warriors coach Wade) and Milan (assistant Zarkovic). They spent a lot of time sharing their thoughts on what was best for our sons.
“Alexander was very close to coming to Hawaii, but I think he felt that Long Beach fit his personality better.”
Hawaii and Long Beach State have already clinched the top two seeds in next week’s conference tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center. The question that remains is which will play in the 5 p.m. semifinal as the second seed and which is the top seed in the 7:30 p.m. semifinal on April 19.
While one set of brothers will line up on opposite sides of the new Taraflex floor at the Pyramid, another set will make their 26th consecutive start for Hawaii in senior setter Joe Worsley and sophomore libero Gage. The two are among the best at their respective positions: Joe leads the country in assists (11.68 per set) and Gage is tied for No. 4 in digs (2.61).
Notes
The 49ers debuted their Taraflex on March 1, a sweep of Cal State Northridge, and are 6-0 on the new floor … Saturday is senior night for six 49ers. The 4,000-seat arena is expected to be sold out.
BIG WEST MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
>> No. 1 Hawaii (25-0, 8-0) at No. 2 Long Beach State (23-1, 8-0)
>> When: Today and Saturday, 4 p.m.
>> TV: Spectrum Sports (Saturday only)
>> Radio: None
>> Online stream: ESPN3.com (today), BigWest.tv (Saturday)
>> Series: Long Beach State leads, 45-42
