HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior middle blocker Taylor Averill will participate in a live chat, Thursday, February 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on UH's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HawaiiAthletics.

On Thursday, fans may submit their question in the comment section of the Live Chat post. Averill will begin answering those questions in the order they are received beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Averill, one of the team's starting seniors,was named first-team AVCA All-American and first-team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2014. This year, he has led the Warriors to their most successful start of the season since 2005, earning MPSF Player of the Week honors twice and one national award as Sports Imports/AVCA Player of the Week. He currently ranks third in the conference hitting at .462 (73-15-130) and has accumulated 585 kills and 285 blocks in his career. 
 
Below is a transcript of the Facebook chat. 

Q: Great match last night and what a great come back from being down 2-0. 1. What were you thinking when you ended the match on your solo block and what does this "big win" means to us? 2. Was the game any different since Zarkovic was out of the lineup?
Sunny T: Thanks for the love. I was just reacting to the situation. Great scouting report by our coaching staff. In our tough conference...it means one win. However, USC is a great team and we showed our tremendous team depth in the win. 2. Siki was missed but others stepped up BIG.
 
Q: Hi Sunny, awesome match last night! What's your favorite Hawaiian food? I'll see you tomorrow night! Go 'bows!
Sunny T: What's up J-Wong! A loco moco katsu chicken plate lunch (brown rice).
 
Q: What are the biggest challenges this team has to face?
Sunny T: Competing in the MPSF. We must compete at a high level every night. Unfortunately, we don't have our fans to back us up every match so learning to win on the road is a key to becoming a great team in the MPSF .

Q: Most memorable moment at a UH vball player?
Sunny T: My first year at UH in 2012, when we won our first conference games at Pacific...most memorable road trip of my life.
 
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
Sunny T: To stay here for as long as I can and eventually play professionally overseas.
 
Q: What was your favorite cartoon growing up as a kid?
Sunny T: Mutant Ninja Turtles for sure.
 
Q: How amazing was it to get that solo block for the win last night?
Sunny T: It felt incredible. Getting a block like that in front of thousands of fans who are just as invested as I am made it that much more special of a moment. The buzz of Aloha Ball in the Stan Sheriff Center is like no other place.

Q: What is your favorite type of music?
Sunny T: Anything I can salsa to.
 
Q: What is the hardest class you took at UH?
Sunny T:  Samoan 101.

Q: How special do you think this team can be?
Sunny T: I think this team has incredible potential. It goes all the way from our training staff (Bruce) to our coaching staff. Every piece matters and I think we have all the pieces.
 
Q: What is your favorite Greek mythological figure?
Sunny T:  Zeus, and I shower with him every day (Hendrik Mol).
 
Q: We all know how great of a volleyball player you are but could you picture yourself playing another sport at UH?
Sunny T: Thank you. It's hard to see myself playing anything else but volleyball but if UH had an underwater basket weaving team...that would be it.
 
Q: Great game last night!!! What age did you first start playing volleyball?
Sunny T:  I was a late bloomer. I started at the age of 15.
 
Q: What are you happy with so far this season, and what would you like to keep working on?
Sunny T: I'm happy with the team's ability to stay composed in tough matches. I'd like to keep improving on my blocking and serving.
 
Q: You came in as a setter, do you miss that position?
Sunny T:  Every single day....but at the end of the day I love the sport and I'll play where I'm needed, but most of all I love winning.
 
Q: Great game last night! How do u guys get yourselves motivated to get the win?
Sunny T: We play USC, one of the best teams in the country, in our house tomorrow night...that's motivation enough.
 
Q: What do you like to do when you're not playing volleyball?
Sunny T:  I like to make music, read, surf and work on my bronze.
 
Q: How tall are you? You look like Bigfoot.
Sunny T:  Bigfoot was my father and my mother was a mermaid so that puts me at a solid 6-7.
 
Q: How do you like playing volleyball at the University of Hawaii?
Sunny T:  I love it! There's no other place in the world I'd rather be playing. People in Hawaii care about our team and are passionate volleyball fans.
 
Q: With two of your top teammates out how do you attribute your win against USC and how will you and your other teammates adjust to the others coming on board?
Sunny T: It was a total team win last night. Hendrick & Scott stepped up BIG showing that everyone on our team has the ability to play at a high level regardless of who's in.
 
Q: Mahalo for an epic game last night. Y'all played like Warriors. Keep it up all the way to the Championship. Will you be playing professionally after graduating?
Sunny T: Ultimately playing professional volleyball is the goal.