Box Score
HONOLULU - Warrior volleyball star
Costas Theocharidis became the program's first 2,000 kill performer tonight, putting-down a match-high 17 kills to lift Hawaii to another straight set sweep of MIVA member Loyola-Chicago, 30-22, 30-21, 30-24, before a jubilant crowd of 4,980 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Theocharidis, a three-time first-team All-American from Orestiada, Greece, became the first Warrior volleyball player ever to record 2,000 kills in a career in the victory. Already the school's all-time kills leader entering the 2003 season, Theocharidis made his approach and went high near the antennae on his 18th attack attempt of the evening and tooled the Loyola-Chicago block to give Hawaii the 19-15 advantage in game two, and earn his 2,000 kill.
Having played in the NCAAs rally scoring system since his sophomore season, Theocharidis has long become one of the program's top performers. The Greek National Team member opened his collegiate career by earning American Volleyball Coaches Association National Newcomer of the Year honors in 2000, also taking home All-America and All-MPSF accolades.
As a sophomore, Theocharidis did himself one better, earning AVCA National Player of the Year after averaging 5.04 kills, 1.60 digs and 1.20 blocks per game. A year later he did what previous Warrior greats had failed to do, leading Hawaii to its first NCAA Championship as a junior.
This season Theocharidis is again among the top talents in the country, leading the NCAA in points average (6.37), while ranking second in kill average (5.39) and attacking at a .354 clip.
With 2,000 kills and counting, Theocharidis continues to forge into unexplored territory with every one of his school record kills. The second highest Warrior career kill total is that of former All-American Mark Presho, who recorded 1,582 during his four seasons at Hawaii.
Hawaii junior setter Kimo Tuyay had the Warrior attack rolling in game one, as the national champions hit a sparkling .529 in the first frame. Tuyay assisted on 21 of his team's 30 points in game one, with Hawaii recording 23 kills with just five errors in 34 total attempts. Eyal Zimet led all attackers with six kills in eight attempts at a .625 clip, while also digging six Loyola attacks. Theocharidis inched closer to his 2,000th kill with five terminations in the game, matching Brian Nordberg's total. Senior outside hitter Tony Ching and explosive middle Delano Thomas both went errorless in the game, with Ching recording four kills in five swings (.800) and Thomas posting a perfect 1.000 effort with three kills in as many tries. Theocharidis and Ching paced Hawaii's attack in game two, with five kills apiece to top the Warriors.
Warrior senior outside hitters Zimet and Ching also enjoyed fine outings in the win. Zimet posted a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs, while Ching had 14 kills in 21 swings for a .524 attack percentage. Thomas and Nordberg combined for 14 kills in the middle.
The second-ranked Warriors will resume their MPSF league schedule with a road trip to southern California where they will face UCLA. Those contests are set for Mar. 14 and 15.
