March 26, 2000
Honolulu, Hawaii - The 13th-ranked Stanford men's volleyball team fell in three games and out of third place in the Pacific Division of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with a 15-11, 15-7, 15-1 loss to Hawaii at the Stan Sheriff Center in front of 5,644 people.
Freshman middle blocker Curt Toppel, the nation's leader in attacks per game, was held to only 18 kills, one night after recording 42 kills against the Rainbows. Toppel hit 21.1 percent on 38 attacks, while tallying three digs. Sophomore outside hitter Marcus Skacel also had trouble finding his rhythm, as he managed only eight kills on 22 attacks. Skacel had tallied a career-high 34 kills against the Rainbows yesterday.
With the victory Hawaii improves its record to 12-8 overall and 7-6 in the MPSF, moving them past the Cardinal (8-9, 7-7 MPSF) for the third and final automatic bid into the MPSF Tournament.
The Rainbows had five players with 10 or more kills in the match, led by Costas Theocharidis' 15 kills on 27 attacks. Hawaii hitters combined for a 56.3 hitting percentage for the match, while holding the Cardinal to only 25.6 percent.
Junior setter Josh Lukens led the Cardinal with 56 assists and tied freshman outside hitter Billy Strickland for the team lead in digs with five.