Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. – The third-ranked University of Hawaii volleyball squad (15-6, 12-4 MPSF) received one of its best individual performances of the season as Costas Theocharidis exploded for 29 kills, including 14 in the final set, but it would not be enough, as the second-ranked Waves (20-4, 15-2 MPSF) surfed away with the 30-22, 30-23, 30-32, 30-25 victory to keep pace with UCLA for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation lead.

Theocharidis, who was named AVCA National Player of the Week this past Monday, maintained his hot hitting by recording a total of 51 kills against Pepperdine. His 14 kills in game four was the most by a Warrior in one set this season. Theocharidis' 29 kills tonight also marked the ninth time this season that the Greek native has posted 20 or more kills.

Warrior senior middle Dejan Miladinovic, the nation's leading blocker for the last two seasons, showedthat he could be an offensive force as well, putting-down 12 kills on a .500 attack percentage.

The Waves upped their current win streak to eight matches tonight by featuring a multi-faceted attack that saw four different players register double-digits in kills. Their two, four-set wins over the Warriors broke a streak of five consecutive, three-set victories for Pepperdine.

Hawaii returns home Sunday morning to prepare for a six match homestand to close the regular season. The Warriors, who finished the 2002 road schedule with a strong 9-3 record, will face UC Irvine this weekend (Mar. 29 & 30) at the Stan Sheriff Center at 7:00 p.m. The Men of War will then host No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 BYU on the next two weekends to end the MPSF slate.