Opposite attacker Lauri Hakala slammed 16 kills, fueling Hawai'i's playoff drive with a 35-33, 30-27, 30-19 volleyball victory over UC San Diego last night in La Jolla, Calif.

In winning their sixth consecutive match — all by sweeps — the Warriors are alone in ninth place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. They are 7-11 in the MPSF and 9-13 overall. Only the top eight teams qualify for the MPSF playoffs. Southern California, which is in eighth place with a 7-10 record, faces UCLA tonight.

"We're trying to play well, and we'll see what happens," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

Against the MPSF's last-place team, the Warriors struggled in Game 1. But Hakala provided the points with a booming swing from the right side, and Dio Dante had both hands in 12 of the Warriors' 22 blocks.

Dante helped contain Frank Fritsch, whose crossing shots found the floor time after time in Game 1. After that, the Warriors adjusted, going over Fritsch on the block instead of reaching.

"We got into his angle a little bit," Wilton said.

The Warriors also received steady play from setter Brian Beckwith, libero Ric Cervantes, middle blocker Matt Rawson and left-side hitter Eric Kalima.

The other left-side hitter, Matt Vanzant, struggled, with one kill in 11 swings. Ernie Vidinha replaced Vanzant, and had three kills (and three errors) in 12 swings. The roommates each hit .000.

Wilton joked that Vanzant's parents will not be allowed to attend his matches. They were visiting from Arizona.