On a night with nearly as many returning alumni as fans, the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team last night showcased a trove of young talent that will usher the program into its second half-century.

The 2008-09 Warriors thumped a team of still-game alumni, 25-15, 25-17, 25-22, but not before their salt-and-peppered counterparts made an impression with big hits and a few good laughs.

Brenton Davis, who played for the Warriors from 1999 to 2001, provided most of the offensive fireworks, rising high to hammer several well-placed sets from Kimo Tuyay, whose four-year run with the team ended in 2004.

After dropping the first two sets, the alumni rallied around Davis and Maulia La Barre ('01, '04-'06) for a 17-15 lead in the third. But the current Warriors battled back behind the solid hitting of junior outside hitter Rory Brandt.

With the Warriors back ahead 22-20, head coach Mike Wilton inserted freshman setter Sam Morehouse to serve, much to the delight of his assembled fans, who showed their support by yelling, "Don't choke." Morehouse made the most of his brief appearance, airplaning around the court as he entered and exited.

While the exhibition was all in fun, the alumni came ready to play — and argue.

After dropping the first point of the evening, Dio Dante ('94-'97) pleaded for a "restart." When the ball fell just inbounds for a Warriors point, Tuyay reminded the line judge: "You're supposed to give us the close ones!"

"It was fun to be out here on the court again and see all old guys and all of the new faces on the other side of the net," Tuyay said. "This is a young team and they haven't had a chance to play together very much, but when they do, they're going to be very, very good."

Wilton echoed the sentiment, praising once again the team's improved overall passing.

"Having guys who can keep you in the system with their passes — like Ric (Cervantes), Gus (Tuaniga) and of course Sean (Carney) — makes a huge difference," Wilton said.