The University of Hawai'i volleyball team's strategy might come down to a gut feeling.

Co-captain Lauri Hakala said his availability is "50-50" for tonight's match against UC Santa Barbara in the Stan Sheriff Center. First serve is at 7:05 p.m.

"Anything is possible," said Hakala, who is suffering from an abdominal strain.

Hakala, who was named an All-American as an opposite attacker last season, said he has been injured for about three weeks.

He said he suffered the strain after moving from opposite, which attacks mostly on the right side, to left-side hitter.

"The hitting technique and the approach are different there," Hakala said.

On the left side, he struggled with his timing, often being out of position for the set. He said he suffered the strain from repeatedly reaching back awkwardly to strike the volleyball.

"It's 100 percent my own fault," Hakala said. "I wasn't used to the movement patterns. I was always under or reaching back. That's not good for the game, in the first place, and it's not good for your body, either."

He said the discomfort intensified during last week's road matches against UCLA. In last Friday's match, he was used at opposite, with Jim Clar moving to the left side.

Hakala did not practice Monday and participated only in passing drills Tuesday. He expanded his workouts yesterday.

"It's feeling better already," said Hakala, whose rehabilitation included heat and cold treatments, as well as electrical stimulation.

Hakala said he is cautious because he does not want to further aggravate the condition. A few years ago, he missed two months of play because of a similar injury.

"We don't want that to happen," Hakala said. "I'd like to get healthy before I get back to real action. If necessary, I'd like to take it easy and see how it goes."

The Warriors face several options. If Hakala is healthy, he can play opposite or on the left side, switching with Clar.

If Hakala is not available, Clar can play opposite or one of the left-side spots. UH coach Mike Wilton said Jake Schkud likely will start at the other left-side position.

Another possibility is to keep Clar at opposite and move libero Eric Kalima to the left side, where he played at the start of the season.

Kalima has practiced serving and hitting this week. A starting libero is not permitted to serve, attack or block.

"It's coming back," Kalima said. "I'm getting the arm ready. It doesn't matter where I play. Wherever I go I'm going to have to pass."

That would ease the pressure on Schkud.

"I'm up and down in passing," Schkud said. "I have my days. It's nothing new when teams come in and play that I'm probably the weaker passer. That's fine. I've only been passing for one or two years tops. I've always been a middle or opposite. These guys have been passing for six years or so. I know I'm going to get the (serve). It's more of a mental game for me. I'm going to try to give (Brian) Beckwith a chance to run under (the pass) and get a good set."

UCSB opposite Evan Patek, who is 6 feet 8 and 255 pounds, leads the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with 6.43 kills per game. His spikes travel at more than 65 mph.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.