Naveh Milo was a gymnastics champion before he switched to volleyball. For four years, he was Israel's national champion, excelling in the floor exercise and pommel horse. Photo by Craig Kojima, Star-Bulletin

The quiet sophomore hitter for the University of Hawaii uses the court as his personal canvas, recycling opponents' rockets into precision passes that set the Rainbows' top-ranked offense in motion.

The former Israeli gymnastics all-around champion had just one goal when he joined the Rainbows this season: to help make Hawaii the best team in the country.

He and the rest of his teammates have met that challenge so far and will take a 26-1 record into this week's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament at the Special Events Arena.

"I knew that last year's team was very good and that most of the players had returned," said Milo, one of three Israeli nationals on the team. "I trusted in myself that I could really help the team in many ways. From what Yuval (sophomore hitter Katz) told me, I knew we could be very good, that it was possible to be the best.

"I am happy that we have done well but we are not the best yet."

Hawaii takes another step toward its first national title with Friday's semifinal match against No. 3 UC Santa Barbara. In the first match at 5:30 p.m., defending champion and second-ranked UCLA meets No. 5 Cal State Northridge.

The winners advance to Saturday's 7:30 p.m. championship that determines the MPSF entry into next week's final four. Milo has faith that, a week from now, he and the Rainbows will be in Los Angeles.

There is no arrogance in his prediction. The 23-year-old Milo is just very confident and comfortable with his abilities and those of his teammates.

"Maybe I am not the best in any area but I can do everything well," said Milo, who leads the team in digs, and is second in kills and service aces. "I think Aaron (junior hitter Wilton) and I, we pass the ball maybe the best in the country.

"I want to prove myself this week. I like the tension of these games. It's everything or nothing. That's the atmosphere I like."

Milo has always enjoyed performing, beginning with when he started gymnastics at the age of 7. For four years, he was Israel's national champion, excelling in the floor exercise and pommel horse.

He literally outgrew the sport when his height surpassed 5 feet 9, considered the ideal size for a gymnast. At 6-2, his agility, flexibility and athleticism were perfectly suited to volleyball, the main sport of Kibbutz Sarid.

"Volleyball is such a tradition in my kibbutz," he said. "Yes, there is pressure to play but it is also an honor."

Hawaii coach Mike Wilton had hoped to have Milo in a Rainbow uniform several years ago but the swing hitter wasn't ready to make the move halfway around the world.

"I had heard the volleyball level here wasn't that good," said Milo. "I knew it would be a nice place to live but I had my doubts about the team. Yuval told me this would be a very good team and I changed my mind."

He has also changed his mind about leaving after this season. Milo, who hopes to play on the pro beach tour, said he will stay another year to continue his education and improve his English.

The Rainbows' jack-of-all-trades would also like to improve his overall volleyball game. This week's concentration is on blocking.

"I want to do better with that the next game," he said.

He prides himself on the stability he brings to the court as well as his wicked serve (40 aces, second only to Katz's 45). Milo had five of the Rainbows' 10 aces in the three- hour victory over UCLA on March 1.

"To me, serving has been the main reason we have won some games," said Milo. "Not only the aces, but there are the overpasses that we hit back for points. For me, that is like an ace. It doesn't show up in the statistics but I worked hard for that to happen."

His parents are here this week to see their second-youngest son perform. Nurit and Naban arrived yesterday from Houston, where they were visiting another son and their newest grandchild.

"They will be surprised by the atmosphere here," said Milo. "I was. But like they say, America, it has unlimited possibilities."