After a season of shaking and stirring the lineup, the Hawai'i men's volleyball team believes it has the found right mix for the "second-home" stretch.

The Warriors arrived last night in California, where four of their seven starters were raised.

"It's home for a lot of us," said middle blocker Steven Grgas, who grew up in Seal Beach, Calif. "We'll have our comfort zone. It'll help settle us down."

With eight matches remaining in the regular season, the Warriors are fighting for one of eight Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoff berths. The Warriors, who are 6-8 in the MPSF, play Southern California tomorrow and Saturday, and Cal State Northridge Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We've had some success on the road, and we haven't had some success on the road," setter Sean Carney said. "How we play is all in our control. We think we're going to play fine. We're not worried about playing on the road or playing at home. We're worried about how we're going to execute, and how we're going to get better."

The months-long emphasis has been on passing. The Warriors have tried several combinations to find help for libero Ric Cervantes, the primary passer.

While two of their best offensive players, Jim Clar and Joshua Walker, are not always consistent passers, UH coach Mike Wilton believes the Warriors' best option is when both are in the lineup together.

In last Saturday's three-game victory over UC Irvine, opposite attacker Jake Schkud, who has struggled with his passing, produced a match-high 15 digs. Clar and Walker also managed to keep alive plays.

"I like to think I can do a lot of other things better in games than in practices," said Clar, who leads the Warriors with 3.91 kills per game. "I put all of my focus in games. Not to say I don't practice hard, but I think I'm a game player."

In particular, Clar has excelled in the "bic" attacks — quick pipe sets behind the 3-meter line.

"Sean has been setting the pipe really nice," Clar said. "I think it's easier to hit (that set). I can see the block easily because I'm far away from the block. I can make my choice in the air. Usually, I can see the block as I'm going up."

Carney said: "It's not hard to get it to him. He jumps out of the gym. Some times it's not the best sets, but Jimbo's learned how to deal with them. We've played a lot together. We came into the program at the same time. We have chemistry."

Grgas, who was a backup opposite attacker last year, is adjusting to the middle. He is second nationally with 1.61 blocks per game.

"My key is to read the setter and watch the hitters," Grgas said. "My job is blocking. Hitting is the fun part of the game."

As an opposite, Grgas relied on a long looping swing. To attack the quick sets in the middle, Grgas uses a compact swing.

In recent matches, Carney has gone more to the middle.

"The middles have been working hard in practice," Carney said.

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.