HONOLULU — For a Hawaii men’s volleyball program accustomed to competing at the highest level for the last half-decade, the upcoming 2024 season is less about expectations than it is desire.
Senior hitter Spyros Chakas, a key contributor to the Rainbow Warriors’ national championships in 2021 and 2022, has whet his appetite to reach that stage again.
“More (hunger), I would say,” said Chakas, the remaining half of UH’s “Greek Connection” of the last few years with the now-professional Dimitrios Mouchlias. “It’s a challenge for us. Two years ago or three years ago, we knew we had what it takes to do that. And we also know we have it now. It’s on our hands to make it work and make it all the way.”
UH, which reached the last four NCAA championship matches and came away with two titles, has some significant holes to fill with the departures of All-America setter Jakob Thelle, opposite Mouchlias and libero Brett Sheward.
The ‘Bows, who last week were picked by the Big West’s six head coaches to finish second in the league, will be largely new at those positions. However, 15th-year coach Charlie Wade has two returning All-Americans to call upon: Chakas and middle Guilherme Voss, plus a rotation mainstay in hitter Chaz Galloway.
“I think we have a chance to be a decent team, but (it’s) really early and a lot of work to be done,” Wade said. “For us, we’re always trying to be the best. We know what it takes to win and we’re trying to be the best team at the end. That’s been the goal all fall and will continue to be going forward.”
There are nine newcomers on 2024’s roster of 20, including six freshmen. The three players from the Mainland U.S. and Canada who turned heads by all prepping at Moanalua High last spring – Justin Todd, Kai Rodriguez and Zack Yewchuk – are in the fold. Wade noted Todd, a 6-foot-5 hitter from Houston, touched 11 feet, 10 inches in vertical leap testing.
UH went on fall trips to Japan and California for exhibition matches as part of its steady ramp-up to January. Per NCAA rule, it shut off activity for a month before Thursday, and now begins a hectic sprint for readiness before Wednesday’s opener against Loyola Chicago.
Voss acknowledged that moving past Thelle, the 2023 AVCA Player of the Year, is no simple matter. Thelle, the 6-foot-6 Norwegian who combined elite athleticism, a playmaker’s instincts and a devastating lefty serve, led the ‘Bows to a second straight Big West tournament title and the cusp of a third straight NCAA title, but UH lost to UCLA in four sets in the May 6 final in Fairfax, Va.
“It’s just hard to rebuild such a long connection,” said Voss, a Brazilian. “We played together for many years before he graduated. But the new setters who have come in and added on to the program are just as exceptional. So, bright future ahead.”
After signing Lewis senior transfer Kevin Kauling in June as a possible successor to Thelle, UH days later added a top recruit in 17-year-old Tread Rosenthal, the U.S. junior national team’s starting setter who reclassified to finish high school early in 2023.
The next UH setter is guaranteed to have significant size. Rosenthal, like Kauling and returning backup Austin Buchanan, is 6-8.
Kauling is an accomplished veteran at the college level having received All-America honors the last three years, but Wade said Rosenthal had the edge as of Thursday, as his side consistently hit for the highest percentage in scrimmages and he was personally swinging at .100 to .150 points higher.
“Austin’s been here in his third year, really good player, and to bring both Kevin and Tread in, two guys who’d probably start for any team in the country, it’s been great,” Wade said. “I think we’re going to be OK at that spot, for sure.”
As for libero, Wade said that fifth-year junior ‘Eleu Choy, a Farrington High graduate who already has his undergraduate degree in engineering, is ensconced there after filling in periodically for Sheward the last two years. Sheward, who came to Manoa as a setter and was converted to libero, transferred to Big West rival UC Irvine this offseason for a chance to set in his final collegiate season.
In Wade’s estimation, all Choy needs is consistent live game reps.
“Like with Brett when he struggled, I’m going to keep running him back out there,” he said. “He’s the libero going forward unless he’s got body parts falling off.”
The opposite battle is between sixth-year senior Alaka‘i Todd, University of Jamestown transfer Oguzhan Oguz, and freshman Zack Yewchuk. Chakas could spend time there, as well.
Voss feels strongly about third-year sophomore Kurt Nusterer for the second starting middle spot that was vacated upon the graduation of Cole Hogland.
A lineup wild card could be Louis Sakanoko, a 6-5 pin hitter and member of France’s U-22 national team. He was only officially announced on Dec. 8 as a mid-year addition.
After Wednesday's opener, UH and Loyola Chicago rematch on Friday. UH then hosts Emmanuel (Ga.) University next week for a pair of matches.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.