Match Notes

Riding a four-match win streak, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team begins a critical four-match road trip against two of the top four teams in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings. First up is No. 5 Long Beach State, which is fourth in the standings, one half game ahead of the Warriors.

 

The two-match series is Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. Both matches begin at 7:00 p.m. PT (4:00 p.m. HT).

 

On the same trip, the Warriors (10-9, 8-6 MPSF) will then travel to Brigham Young, which is currently third in the MPSF standings, for a two-match series, March 24-25.

 

Hawai'i swept a two-match series with then-No. 13 Pacific last week in Honolulu. Coupled with a two-match sweep of Pepperdine a week earlier, UH is riding its longest win streak of the season and is over the .500 mark for the first time this season.

 

The Warriors struggled in last week's opener with UOP, hitting an uncharacteristic .255 for the match and were out-blocked 13.5 to 9. All-American opposite Jonas Umlauft carried the team with a match-high 28 kills while middle blocker Jarrod Lofy provided a spark offensively with 10 kills, hitting .571.

 

In the rematch, UH used its big block to sweep the Tigers, recording a season-high 18 blocks including seven each by middles Lofy and Shane Welch. Outside hitter Joshua Walker rebounded with 12 kills on .375 hitting after posting a .070 clip one night earlier.

 

LBSU (10-8, 8-5) hosted the Active Ankle Classic last week and split a pair of non-conference matches with No. 14 Lewis and No. 10 Penn State. The 49ers dropped a five-setter to Lewis but rebounded the following night with a four-set win over the Nittany Lions.

 

The 49ers are 6-2 at the Walter Pyramid this season including a 5-1 mark in MPSF play.

 

Who: No. 9 Hawai'i (10-9, 8-6 MPSF) vs. No. 5 Long Beach State (10-8, 8-5 MPSF)

When: Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19

Time: 7:00 p.m. PT / 4:00 p.m. HT both nights

Where: Walter Pyramid; Long Beach, Calif.

Television Coverage: None

Streaming Video: None

Radio Coverage: ESPN 1420 AM will broadcast both match live with Blaine Kauwe calling the action.

Audio Webcast: Available at espn1420am.com

Live Stats: Available at LongBeachState.com

Series Information: UH leads 36-32. The 49ers own a 17-13 advantage in matches played in Long Beach, Calif., including a series sweep in 2009.