"Win another four games in a row. Clinch a playoff berth. Let the reserves get plenty of playing time."
Given that this week's two opponents are a combined 2-22 in league play, it's hardly Mission Impossible for the top-ranked Rainbows. Hawaii (19-1 overall, 13-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) travels to San Diego for two two-match series with the bottom two teams in the MPSF's Pacific Division: San Diego State (7-13, 2-10) and UC San Diego (4-14, 0-12).
The toughest assignment for the Rainbows during their spring break may be staying focused long enough that coach Mike Wilton can clear his bench. A win tomorrow over the Aztecs will clinch a playoff berth; a sweep of the road trip gives Hawaii the Pacific Division title and the edge in hosting the MPSF tournament in four weeks.
"We know it's not going to be some of our tougher matches," said Rainbow senior setter Erik Pichel. "Our goal is to play well and clinch hosting the tournament. We're so close to achieving our goal that we know it's no time to have a letdown."
Hawaii had few lapses during Saturday's 87-minute 15-2, 15-9, 15-7 victory over Pacific, the Rainbows' sixth win a row. Wilton used his entire 12-man roster against the Tigers, with only starting middle blocker Jason Ring still in playing at the end of Game 3.
It's a scenario the fourth-year Rainbow coach would like to repeat a lot this week.
"If we play the way we are capable of, then we should be able to play a lot of guys this trip," said Wilton. "I'd like to rest a few guys. Some of our legs badly need a rest, they're probably ready for summer already.
"Our mission is to play as well as we can all four nights, but to also play as many guys as possible."
The toughest matches should come against San Diego State, which features senior outside hitter Lars Winter, ranked in the MPSF's top 10 in hitting percentage (.375) and kill average (5.54). The Aztecs saw their modest two-game win-streak snapped Saturday at Cal State Northridge, 15-9, 15-7, 15-12.
"San Diego State has potential to be dangerous," said Pichel, who leads the nation in assists. "I played with Winters in high school, he's good.
"The main thing is to clinch as playoff host. And we want to get our other guys in. Kahinu (Lee) and Troy (Hotz) practice so hard, they deserve to play. They're a big factor as to why we're playing so well."
The fiery Lee, a 6-foot hitter, had four kills against Pacific Saturday. Hotz, a senior hitter added three kills in four swings, hitting .750.
"Even though I don't get to do it much, playing most of the time, it's fun to watch our other players get in," said Rainbow sophomore hitter Yuval Katz, the nation's leader in kill average. "We want to let the other guys get off the bench and get experience. You know they are good or the coach would not put them in.
"I don't think it will be hard to focus this week. We are still taking it one at a time. We want to play hard, play good and play to win."
Wilton said he had no doubts his team would come out hard tomorrow at San Diego State.
"Even though San Diego State is not having one of their better years, they still have some players who can hurt you," said Wilton. "And they've always played tough at home against us.
"I thought we played some good volleyball against Pacific. We blocked and dug pretty well. We're just trying to improve and get better each time out."
San Diego State's only two MPSF wins were over UC Irvine and UC San Diego. UC San Diego, 0-12 in league, did take San Diego State and Loyola Marymount to five before losing; the Tritons stunned UCLA last month when winning Game 1, 15-5, before losing in four.