Box Score

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Hawaii setter Kimo Tuyay and three-time All-America Costas Theocharidis reached career personal milestones as the second-ranked “Men of War” swept past fifth-ranked Long Beach State in three games, 30-19, 30-27, 30-27, to post their first league series sweep of the season.

Tuyay, a two-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation honorable mention selection, recorded 33 assists on the evening to increase his career tally to 3,013, making him the just the fourth Warrior player ever to reach the 3,000 assist plateau. Tuyay joins former Warriors Curt Vaughan (4,557), Albert Hannemann (4,195), and Lyman Lacro (3,031).

Theocharidis, who led Hawaii with 16 kills on a .343 attack percentage, had two service aces tonight to tie the school career record of 100 he now shares with Yuval Katz and Sivan Leoni.

Delano Thomas enjoyed another fine outing for the Warriors, putting-down eight kills in 11 swings and a match-high six blocks to spark the “Men of War.”

The Warriors pulled-away to take the first game after going point for point with Long Beach State during the early portion of the set. Hawaii began to pull away with a 14-11 lead. Following a 49er point, a double block by Joshua Stanhiser and Kimo Tuyay and a block solo by Stanhiser made it 16-12, Warriors. From there Hawaii rode the right arm of senior Theocharidis, who led the Warriors with four kills in game one on a .667 attack percentage.

Tuyay got Hawaii on track after a slow start that saw the Warriors hit only .214 up until the mid point of the first frame. Hawaii recorded a perfect 1.000 kill percentage with eight kills and no errors in 8 attacks the remainder of the game, as Tuyay closed to within two assists of becoming the school's fourth, 3,000 assist performer. A determined Warrior defense made quite a statement in game one, limiting Long Beach to a .037 attack percentage, out blocking the hosts, 4.5-to-1.5.

Freshman outside hitter Pedro Azenha had a big impact for Hawaii off the bench. The native of Sao Paolo, Brazil entered midway through the first game and quickly recorded three kills in as many swings in place of starting outside hitter Tony Ching, who left the contest with a sprained ankle.

The second game changed complexions a number of times before the Warriors wrapped-up the 30-27 victory. Early in the game, sophomore setter Daniel Rasay was inserted as starter Tuyay took a breather. Rasay and the Warriors got in sync quickly, recording a .533 attack percentage as they took an 18-13 lead, prompting 49er coach Alan Knipe to call a timeout.

Long Beach State rallied out of the break, finally taking over the advantage at 25-24. The Warriors struggled offensively as their sizeable lead shrunk and then disappeared, as Hawaii had just three kills with four errors in nine attempts. With Tuyay back in, the Warriors were able to make a run of their own, capturing the 2-0 lead with the 30-27 second game win.

Game two also saw Theocharidis and Tuyay reach career milestones. Theocharidis crunched his second service ace in game two, tying him for the school's career record, with 100 aces. Tuyay's assist on Eyal Zimet's kill to pull Hawaii to game point was his 3,000 as a Warrior.

The Warriors completed their three-game sweep and their series sweep of the 49ers by battling from behind to take game three, 30-27. Hawaii trailed as late as 25-24, before taking the lead for good at 26-25. Theocharidis again led the way in game three, recording six kills. Middle blockers Thomas and Stanhiser combined for nine kills and four blocks as the Warriors posted their first ever road sweep of Long Beach State.

The Warriors return from their 12-day road trip through southern California tomorrow. Hawaii went 3-1 against top-ranked UC Irvine and Long Beach on the trip.